Hello
I am fascinated by the phrase “It’s a good day today; just watch some swine ruin it!” (or words to that effect). It is not just people of course, but unexpected events that can overtake us; news out of the blue, good and bad. Our attitude to life plays a big part, whether we have a positive or negative way of looking at things. Some things we have no control over. They hits us when we aren’t expecting it, sometimes with a massive bang.
I’ve been thinking about these words from James chapter one: 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.
Most successful televangelists preach what is called ‘The Prosperity Gospel’. Using select Scriptures, they teach that if one gives one’s life to Jesus and follows certain biblical principles, God is obligated to fulfil His promises of wealth, health and well-being. In the end, God becomes little more than a genie-in-a-bottle, granting wishes out of sheer compulsion. To these preachers, this is the abundant life God promises and hundreds of thousands of people agree with them. People believe all sorts of stuff!
The great 19th century preacher Charles Spurgeon said about the text above from James: “Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience and not passion, be set at work in us. Whatever is said or done, let patience have the saying and doing of it. Let us not allow the indulging of our passions to hinder the operation and noble effects of patience. Let us give it leave to work and it will work wonders in a time of trouble.”
Christians can let their emotions rule them. Many lack patience, allowing their emotions to guide them. Love is perhaps the key emotion; indeed God is Love. Oh how I wish the whole Christian Church would choose patience over emotion. To wait for God, in humility through perseverance.
Our late Queen believed these words throughout her long life.
Always here if you want me.
‘Bye for now and God bless you
Rev Andrew