This Sunday’s readings: James 1:9-12
Reflections
“Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”
~ Jeremiah 9
Thankfully, God has given us His self-revelation in the Bible. And anyone who takes the Bible seriously soon discovers that the issue is not to begin with us as human beings. … You need to begin with God. ~ Conrad Mbewe, Zambian pastor & author
None of us starts off with a pure internal ‘kit’ of impulses, hopes and fears. If you are true to ‘yourself’, you will end up a complete mess. The challenge is to take the ‘self’ you find within, and to choose wisely which impulses and desires to follow, and which ones to resist.
~ N.T. Wright, Scholar, former Bishop of Durham
If you have things you’re unwilling to lose, evil will have power over you. … Most people want to grow, but the price of growth is pain. … Christ never intended to cover up the dark side of life, but rather to illuminate a path through it.
~ Dan B. Allender, Author/Psychologist
“If you are poor in spirit (feel far from God), mourning, meek (humble, restraining temper), hunger and thirst for righteousness, and merciful…God’s favor is on you. … If dependency on God is the goal, weakness is the advantage.”
~ Lecrae Devaughn Moore, 1979- , hip hop artist and songwriter
Contentment is submitting and taking pleasure in God’s [will]. A contented heart looks to and submits to God’s [will], that is, he sees the wisdom of God in everything. In his submission, he sees His sovereignty; but what makes him take pleasure in God’s wisdom? [It is this:] the Lord knows how to order things better than I. I only see things at present, but the Lord sees a great while from now.
~ Jeremiah Burroughs, 1599-1646, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
There are very few people who realize what God would make of them if they abandoned themselves into His hands and let themselves be formed by His grace.
~ Ignatius of Loyola, Letter to Ascanio Colonna 1543