DAY 32 - GOD’S NOT FINISHED
ANDREW MATRONE, YA MINISTRY LEAD
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-3
There’s something so satisfying about finishing something, isn’t there? Whether it be a race, a test, a degree, or whatever it may be. When you put a ton of work, effort, and time into something, the feeling of finishing is so rewarding and freeing.
You know one of the tough (or beautiful, depending on how you look at it) realities I’ve learned about a relationship with God: There is no finish line on this side of eternity… God’s work FOR US and God’s work IN US is never done. There will never be a point in this life where you have “arrived” spiritually. For every new promotion, there will be new problems… For every new level, there will be new devils. There will always be trials of many kinds that God’s people will have to face.
Can I say something that might be offensive to you? It’s actually even hard for me to say, honestly. The fact that we will never “arrive” spiritually and will always face trials is actually GOOD NEWS. What?! Yes… You know why? Trials humble us, trials strengthen us, trials give us testimony, trials force dependence on God, trials make us remember that God is God and we are not, trials make us mature and complete! The more trials I experience, the more capable and ready I am to take on the calling that God has for my life.
That’s why James (the writer) says to consider it pure JOY! Don’t be mad at trials, consider it JOY! Why? Because it is testing your faith and the testing of your faith produces perseverance and James says perseverance must FINISH its work so that you lack nothing.
James completes this thought by saying “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” Understand something… Our reward is not on this earth but on the other side of heaven. That’s when you will have “arrived” spiritually.
God is allowing you to go through trials right now. But it’s to build something in you that can’t be built without them. Lean into the trials, face them head-on and persevere because God still has many more things do to in and through you while you run this race he has set before you! When you’re tempted to throw in the towel, just remember, if you’re in a trial that just means God’s not finished with you!