Flow!

Flow!

Is anyone among you afflicted (ill-treated, suffering evil)? He should pray. Is anyone glad at heart? He should sing praise [to God].

James 5:13 AMPC

Context and Charge:

Life will happen to the best of us. The fall of man in the Garden of Eden has made it a sure bet that we will struggle with the effects and consequences of sin. When man was made, the issues of sickness and death were not even part of the discussion. Death was only mentioned after man fell into disobedience to God's express command. Even for those who have been freed from the power of sin must constantly guard their hearts and minds from the seeping and crafty influence of sin. As long as man is on this side of eternity, it is a daily effort to do right, think right and be right. Part of our humanity and fallen nature now is the process of aging. We will grow old, we might pick up a few life issues due to the life we love, but today's verse wants us to be deliberate in our choices of reaction and response to all that we go through on this side of eternity. 

Yes, afflictions may arise. The fact that I am a Christian does not, by that fact alone, keep me from trouble. What is key here is my response. Do I lash out in retaliation, so I can pay back evil for evil, or to match whatever trouble I get with trouble of my own? Do I let God shine out through my life's choices, or am I first and foremost about getting even? The verse today encourages me to pray in the face of affliction of any kind. What this means is that no matter how hard life tries to squeeze me, the only response it will get out of me is the expression of submission to God's will. I pray, not to twist God's arm to give me what I want, but that his perfect will be done in and through all the experiences He permits to come my way. I pray because from personal experience, I have learnt it is the source of power and encouragement. God will always be God, whether I agree or not, but prayer is the willing admission and surrender to the power and authority of God. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

Even on the other side of the coin, when things are good, I must also not keep quiet. When the blessings come, do I put them down to my labour, simple luck, or the aligning of the stars, or do I acknowledge the grace of God that has given me reasons to sing and praise God? The undeniable conclusion I can draw from today's verse is that situations and circumstances must not break the connection between God and I. Knocks will come; mountains will rise; the wind will blow; the storms will rage, but in all these, my heart must find its rest and anchor in the unbreakable love of God for me. There is nothing in this life that can pluck me from God's hand, unless I decide to walk away of my own accord. No matter what goes on around me, my heart is at rest. It has no fear because the Prince of Peace reigns in it and He is fully in charge. Does that truly describe me now? Does this describe you? God's time of favour is here.