Proclaimer Blog
April Fool? No – I’m too busy seeking wisdom
I suppose today there should be some suitable April Fool joke – just enough truth to be almost believable, but shocking all the same. You know the sort of thing – Adrian is made Bishop of Ely, Christopher retains National Badminton Mixed Doubles Title – that sort of thing. But truth is that I'm too tired and emotionally drained to come up with anything really good in that line. I feel a bit more like Hamlet:
When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but battalions
That’s when I need to read James. I find the opening verses both a challenge and a help. Here’s the challenge:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
It’s a hard word, isn’t it? I can just about endure trials, or be patient during trials, but consider them joy? Forget it. Too hard. Too painful. Too stress-inducing. Too spiritual! I know that Romans 8.28 is true, but – please – can I think about that when I come out the other side? Sure, I know that when I look back I’ll see that it was all for my sanctification. But not now, okay?
It’s a hard word – and as you can see – a word in season, a word I need. So that’s why I need James’ help too, not just the challenge:
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
These verses are a kind of birthday card text – the one you always put in a greetings card. And I’m sure they are great verses – but I don’t think they’re simply about wisdom. The context links them directly to the openers on joy and trials. The wisdom in view is not about care plans for my elderly in-laws (though I do need wisdom for that). The wisdom in view is knowing that these trials are for my ultimate good. And boy, is that wisdom I need!
I’m no April Fool. I need wisdom. And so this is my prayer.