James 5 - Monday 7th October

Today’s reading is James 5

Tom writes:

“Be patient until the Lord’s coming.”  I can’t remember ever really engaging with that idea. Even today I fleet-footed past this verse to get to the stuff about prayers of faith. But I feel drawn back to verse 7, as if the Spirit is highlighting it to me. Why haven’t I ever focused on this before? I know that patience is not something I am good at, but I don’t think that is the main problem.  I think the main problem rests in my theology; do I really believe that Jesus is coming back?  And, more than that, do I think it would be a good thing?  James certainly did.  Paul certainly did.  As did Peter and the writer to the Hebrews.  In fact the whole ruddy lot of them were convinced that the Lord was coming back and it was going to be awesome. And - if we do think about it - it is going to be awesome, isn’t it? It is going to be awesome because Jesus sees good stuff you do that never gets noticed by your peers. It is going to be awesome because all you have sown-to and cultivated will spring up into verdant, eternal life. This time is more grubby than we would like. It is a time of planting and tilling. But then is when the harvest will come. Then is when abundance will abound - and the abundance will link directly to our purity right now.

This perspective on the struggles in life helped the church grit their teeth and remain faithful through their suffering.  It helped them not get distracted from the delight of devotion. I want to learn from their example. I love Jesus. I deeply deeply love Jesus and know he is the epitome of goodness and joy.  I am so richly satisfied when I fix my eyes on him and do stuff that invests in the harvest on his return.  So, Holy Spirit, please would you hammer into my thick skull the truth that even small acts of faithfulness are worth it.  Please would you help me wake up in the morning wondering whether today will be the day when the ploughman will be overtaken by the reaper.  And then please would you give me patience - a patience to stand firm and not grumble and keep going for goodness in the grubbiness. For when Jesus returns it will be astonishing. The glory of his Kingdom fully come will make it all seem worthwhile, and will surpass even Elijah-type prayers in this time.

Question for reflection

What part of James’ letter struck you the most?