Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV)
This week has been filled with all kinds of activities on a personal front that have produced significant highs and lows throughout each day. Sunday service was Spirit Filled and people were experienced God's presence all morning (high). That night, significant Spiritual Battles took place in various homes (including mine) and up at the church building, leaving several of the church leaders physically hurting and exhausted (low). I traveled to Anderson University with my daughter for an interview where she was accepted to College (high) then we went upstairs to the Financial Aid office (low). I had time to begin communicating with people again that I'm praying for them (high), then logged onto the software I use for this only to find it is being discontinued and I need to find a replacement now (low). You get the idea.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 NIV)
Sometimes God Sightings come when we are being challenged the most. I see ministers working full-time physical-labor jobs so they can pay the bills, then do the ministry they love. I see coordinators working together with family and friends because those are the only team members who will help them, but they continue to use their gifts to Glorify God and build up His Church. It is in the struggles of life that we need to persevere.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5 NIV)
I've seen God this week. He Shines through in the perseverance of His people: builders, servants, coordinators, ministers - all members of His Body, all walking Together with God. Various people were hurting and tired Sunday night/Monday morning, but God won the battles. Financial challenges face more than my family, but God always provides. Software systems may stop working, but prayer never stops working. We can see God much more clearly when we cannot see a solution in our own power.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV)
Oh yeah, someone sent me a text this week. He wanted to meet for coffee...and to talk about being baptized. Persevere. See God at work. It will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your walk with Him.
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