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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ~ James 1:2-4 (NIV)
I love Christmas. During this wonderful season, beauty is displayed in the brilliance of gloriously decorated Christmas trees, bright lights and in the spirits of people as they go about showing the manifest presence of the Lord Jesus Christ to others.
This is also the time of year that my patience is tried to the utmost. You may think that I am tested at the shopping mall, or maybe in the parking lot as I circle it like a vulture in search of the perfect space. Oh no, this is not where I am being developed into, as it says in James 1:2-4, a mature and complete Christian.
My trial by fires comes with decorating my Christmas tree each year. Don’t get me wrong, I truly enjoy all the hard work and effort that I put into trimming the tree. What makes me want to run screaming into the night, though, is putting the lights on it. Who invented those things anyway, and why do they bring so much frustration into what could be a joyous time of fun and fellowship? I think I know the answer.
They were made to test me and develop my patience. Imagine my pure joy in overcoming this trial, standing tall and victorious as I plug in the final set of lights and they all stay lit. Yes, I realize now that there is indeed a reason to rejoice because I have fought the good fight of faith and my tree is beautiful and brightly lit for all to see. My test is over, perseverance has finished its work and for now, or at least until next Christmas, I am mature, complete and lack nothing.
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