Every Good and Perfect Gift
James 1:5-8, 16-18
5. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. 6. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7. For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, 8. unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord. 16. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. 17. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created.
The wisdom referred here to is a wisdom of how to live correctly. James is saying that God freely and generously gives us what we need to live -- if we go to Him for direction. Read the bible, pray, seek out a spiritual mentor or a group of friends who are serious about their faith journey. Associate with others who seek God’s wisdom. And then go out into the world, trusting that God will sustain you and give you what you need to hold your own and more . . . to thrive.
Don’t start believing what the media tells you. Don’t watch those ads and begin thinking you really do need and want and just must have everything they’re trying to sell you. Remember? You only need what God provides: perfect wisdom, knowledge, strength, peace, and best of all: eternal life. God doesn’t change from minute to minute, day to day. He’s the one sure, steady, reliable, perfect truth upon which to base your life.
Don’t worry that others view you as “odd” or “different” because of how you act and the way you live -- because, really, you are! If you’re really true to what God has revealed to you, instilled in you, you can’t help it! Because you know the truth! I guess there aren’t too many more ways to say it! God is all you need. All. Nothing else. No one else. God. And He is the only thing that will satisfy. Cars wear out, people leave, food is digested and gone. Drugs, alcohol, money - gone. Houses fall apart, hurricanes destroy country clubs. Floods ruin golf courses, thieves steal your possessions.
At the end of time, God is all that will be left. Isn’t that a comfort and a help in trying to live now? God will be there at the end of the world. Just as he was when it all began. Wow!
I hope today you seek the good and perfect gift of God’s wisdom. And that you rejoice in knowing that no matter happens in this life -- God’s grace surrounds us, uplifts us, sustains us, and is the reason we can hardly wait to get to heaven!
Mary
