Our faith is a gift from God which will grow as we heed the call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow. Our Father has a plan, good works prepared beforehand, that we would walk in them. We are called to be God’s ambassadors using the talents given us while the Master is away. Running with endurance the race set before us with our eyes fixed on Jesus, we keep our minds set on the goal of things above. Life in Christ is not a sprint but an endurance race – we must go the distance. But how do we build up endurance for the race? In the wisdom and lovingkindness of our Father, trials will come our way – both big and small. He has given us the presence of the Holy Spirit as our journey companion, our helper to navigate the turbulent waters learning to depend upon Him, to trust in Him. As the water pours into the boat, we find our hearts drawn to Him instead of the circumstances, seeking the embrace of His sovereign arms. By His work, our inner man is strengthened – our endurance of faith grows. When we realize His goal for these refining trials is that we might be perfect and complete in our reflection of Jesus Christ – a display of God’s holy character – we can consider it all joy.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
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