Lessons from Wallowing and Prayer

I keep thinking that I need to have some epic thought before it's worth posting. It would surely make the reading more enjoyable. But if any of us were to wait for such brilliant inspiration, nothing much would get written down. I'm sure there has not been a lack on inspiration coming my way. But for whatever reason, the hints have not been caught.



For these last couple months I believe I have been wallowing-- rolling around in the mud, attempting to avoid irritants and responsibilities, dwelling on my frailties and disappointments. Ok, fine. I'm a wallower. But I'm also a pray-er. And the Lord has taught me some interesting things through wallowing and prayer. The book of James parallels these conclusions very truthfully. This is what I have learned/am still learning as I shake off the mud.

1. Perseverance is important. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4.

2. Anxiety is dangerous.  Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:13-17.

3. Asking for wisdom is wise. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

4. Be patient.  Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:10-11.

5. Give into God. He knows what He's doing. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:7-10.

6. God is good and faithful. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18.

7. Go back to #1 and start all over again. This time, start by abiding in Jesus and look out for the fruit. Luke 13:6-9 and John 15:1-17.

It has been a long time coming--and I'm sure I am just at the beginning of this journey--but the Lord has blessed me with an open door. On Wedesday I begin a part time job with the group I interned with from October-January. It's a little door, but He knows the tiny steps this muddy self can take.