This morning my reflection comes out of the Letter of James. I spent quite some time just reflecting on the following verses, trying to understand the connection and active word of the Lord in them, as it wasn't at first apparent. Here are the verses - James 5:7-11 NIV:
[7] "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. [8] You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. [9] Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!"
[10] "Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. [11] As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."
If I were to pull the focus words for this morning out of these verses they are patient, waits, patiently waiting, patient, stand firm, patience, persevered, perseverance. I think those words set the thematic overview nicely.
In the midst of chaos, confusion, disparate voices, arguments, opposite opinions, it is hard to wait, to be patient and to stand firm. This is especially true when one's life, or the lives of those you love are being negatively impacted. How much more difficult is it to stand firm in one's convictions and faith, when one is in pain, anxious, fearful or frightened?
James was writing to a dispersed church, to those Jews who believed in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, who were scattered among the nations, a group of people who were doubly persecuted, first by their own brother Jews, who didn't believe Jesus was the Messiah, and secondly by the governmental forces of Rome that considered the practice of Christianity illegal. The letter is clearly written after the persecution that broke out following Stephen's martyrdom, as James addresses those scattered among the nations. It is also very clear he is writing to a troubled people for he begins the letter as follows - James 1:2-5 NIV:
[2] "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."
This is certainly not the opening lines to a great celebratory tome, but rather a repositioning or retuning of a mindset in the midst of a struggle. Its more pep-talk, rallying the troops, focusing on the inner strength and benefits to a group under siege, enabling those to rise above the struggle and see the benefits, see the growth, see the strengthening that is occurring in their lives.
I believe that it is in this light that James writes the verses we looked at earlier. It is so helpful if we have a goal in mind, and understand our personal growth and betterment as we are encouraged to stand firm, patiently waiting in the midst of the struggle all around. I am reminded of the childhood game, King of the Hill, where one would try to stand at the top of whatever hill (growing up in Minnesota it was often a pile of snow) and push down all that tried to take your place. I don't think we had any view for personal growth, but I do know that it was an exhausting game.
Right now we are being assailed on all sides, we are separated from those in our fellowship, we are hearing constantly changing reports, battling opinions and competing "facts". This battle is all around us, and affecting those who believe and have faith in the Lord, every bit as much as those who don't. So why the encouragement from James? I believe its because we need to get our hearts and minds above the fray, to understand the season we are in so that we can prepare for the season that is coming.
In verse 7 above, James uses the analogy of the farmer waiting patiently for the autumn and spring rains. This isn't a cattle famer, but rather a produce farmer. The farmer is waiting patiently for the time of the harvest! As I was reading these verses this morning, this is the goal that stood out to me! The harvest! I was immediately reminded of something Jesus said in Matthew's Gospel. Here are the verses that came to mind - Matthew 9:36-38 NIV:
[36] "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37] Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Could it be that we are entering into a time of great harvest of souls? Is is possible that the harassed and helpless, the milling and confused masses could recognize their need for the truth of the Gospel? Are we being encouraged to look around and see a changing season so that we might prepare ourselves? When harvest time approaches, the farmers get everything ready, they make sure the barns are ready, the combines are working, the crews are hired, whatever is necessary, for the time of harvest is short.
Going back the original verses and the focus words I pulled out, I believe the need for patience, perseverance, and standing firm, is so that we can be found in place and ready to move to the task at hand. We must rise above the fray, not just to see, but so that we can be seen by those who need direction! W need to stand strong in our faith so that those around us can rally to our position. In the midst of chaos, those who are at peace will shine bright!
Finally, I am reminded of some very appropriate verses from Isaiah 60:1-4 NIV:
[1] “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
[2] See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
[3] Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
[4] “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip."
Amen, Amen, let it be so Lord!
May the Lord strengthen you this day! May He give You His peace in the midst of this chaos and clamour! May He give you strength to wait patiently for the coming season!
Sam
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