The Vine: Jan. 14, 2024
“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”
Welcome to our first edition of The Vine. This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”
As I was sitting in the waiting room at the doctor’s office last Saturday morning, I thought to myself, “What better place and time to begin thinking about a sermon related to trials and endurance?” There I sat in the corner of the waiting room, coughing profusely, and wondering why on earth I suddenly felt the need to begin work on this sermon. Whatever the reason, I was facing a trial. There are much bigger trials in life than going through a respiratory virus, but remember, I’m a wimp. I broke my little toe a couple of months ago and I made sure everyone in the office not only knew about my broken toe, but I went to the trouble of showing them as well for good measure.
As I sat pondering James 1:1-4, the nurse finally came through the door and called my name. The rest of the patients in the waiting room smiled gleefully as they realized I would be leaving their presence. The doctor examined me and said, “You have a respiratory virus. We have seen a lot of this lately. It will take about seven to ten days to run its course.” Seven to ten days! Is there a way we could ask the virus to “run its course” a little quicker? Maybe move from a light jog to a sprint?
Whether it’s an illness or another trial we face in life, none of us enjoy the process of enduring. Yet James says, “Let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” He wrote this to the twelve tribes in what was known as the Dispersion. These were Jewish Christians scattered abroad outside of the Promised Land. If anyone needed to hear a word of hope in enduring trials, it was them. It's interesting to note that James didn’t say, “If you face trials,” but, “When you face trials.” Trials and suffering are a part of life and being a Christian does not exempt any of us.
While God doesn’t necessarily cause our trials and sufferings, God is certainly with us through the difficult times and can redeem anything, no matter how painful or difficult. Somehow through the enduring itself we can even become more complete, mature followers of Christ, and better prepared to help others in their time of need as well.
Questions for Reflection
What trials are you facing today?
Recall a time when you faced a significant trial in life. Looking back on that situation and season, what did you learn about yourself and your faith in God? How did others help you? In what ways did you mature in the enduring process?
What is your definition of a mature follower of Christ?
What am I going to do this week to encourage someone who is facing a trial? With the help of the Holy Spirit, how can I make a positive difference?
Prayer
“God, we thank you for this day. Help us to see it for what it is – a gift. It is a gift just as your grace is a gift. Help us to endure the trials of life and realize that no matter how absent you may seem to be in those times, that you indeed are with us in all things and can redeem any situation or person. In Christ’s name. Amen.”
Have a great week and remember you are not alone!
In Christ,
Brad