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2 P&P Weekly Blog for 31 August - 6 September 2024
We were out hiking when we spotted this Great Blue heron. I loved catching him as he was about to take wing. My images brought to mind the idea of—“ready, set, go.” It was as if he had gone through a distinct thought process or checklist before flying, much like a pilot does before taking off.
Ever feel that way spiritually? Like the Lord gave you an instruction, but had you in a season of waiting to accomplish something or align part of His Will before He allowed you to proceed? Ever need to wait while He provided a place for you, financially, a job, or to correct a situation before you could fulfill His purposes? Ever feel like your life was going through a checklist to meet God's or other’s expectations before you were allowed to move forward?
This passage from James 1 immediately comes to mind. Let’s read it together: "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. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. … 12 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. 13 When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. 19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world (NIV).”
It’s difficult to find joy or good when we have to wait or endure times of difficulty or pain, right? But this passage makes it clear that God uses these times (of testing)—to produce faith, to mature us, and to develop His character within us.
He always uses them to “Ready” us for what lies ahead. This often places us in a spot of seeking Him, asking questions, and desiring to know His Will. While some folks consider this to be a negative process, I’d encourage us to look at it as God’s drawing us unto Himself. Why? Because He’s saying if we lack wisdom—come to Him—and He’ll supply answers. He’ll fill us. He’ll replenish us. He’ll teach us from His Word and to learn to listen and respond to His voice.
Verse 6 instructs us that when we ask—we are not to doubt Him. We need to believe that He’ll answer us. We need to put our faith—into motion.
“Set”—this heron had to open its wings before it would ever fly. This is an imperative lesson for us in regard to faith. Faith in Christ is a gift from the Lord. But there are actions (we can take) that help develop this quality within us as well. Making God and His Word a priority each day is step one. Praying—talking and listening to the Lord is step two. And learning to involve Christ in every part of your life is step three. Learn to recognize His care and provision. Give Him praise. Invite Him into your decision-making. Surrender everything that you have/are to His hands.
The “set” stage is the time to learn and grow in our knowledge of the Lord. It’s the time to watch how He keeps His promises. It’s the time to persevere under pressure and let Him transform every trial into a closer reflection of Himself. Look at each one as a challenge to do better. The Lord is not trying to put you down or harm you. Instead, He wants you to become more like Him—in your choices, your temperament, and your character traits.
If God has you in the “set” place—be at peace. He’s getting ready to do something wonderful! Hone your spiritual fruit. Memorize Scripture. Practice sharing your testimony. Be devoted to loving God and others; you’re about to fly.
“Go”—Let’s look at verses 22-27. The instruction is not merely to listen to the Word—but to do what it says. That means—live it out! And what can we look forward to if we do this? Blessing! If we are to soar in the kingdom ways of Christ—we must yield to His Will. We must speak, act, think, and behave like Him. Will we be perfect? Of course not. But the Christ-follower is a person who is quickly convicted of wrongdoing and just as quickly repents and asks forgiveness of offenses. We seek to be a light and a witness to the world without participating in everything that the world does. We stand for Christ and want our steps to magnify and bring Him glory.
This Great Blue Heron was majestic in its rhythmic flight pattern. Ready-set-go—became the inspiration for how God guides us in life and in following after Him, as James 1 portrays. He’s using every stage to develop and mature us. It’s our job to be content and be taught by Him so that we soar. Only then will we live above our trials to discover that He’s using it all—to bless us—to conform us to His image and to bring Himself glory with the entire flight.
2 Pause and Praise Creations ©
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