The Challenge of Circumstances

“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.” 

James 1:9-10

This week I have been praying about the challenge of circumstances. Circumstances beg to define us, persuade our thinking/beliefs, and box us in. But, many circumstances are evolving, requiring us to constantly step back and redefine or reconstruct our boxes. 

The quote Christian shared in our newsletter this week comes from John Mark Comer’s book, Live No Lies. 

“The starting place of devotion to God and movement into his kingdom is simply to set our attention on his Spirit and truth.”

Hold that thought in one hand, and the James verse in the other, while we consider the subject of these prayer emails as the Financial Prayer Team; money.

James opens his letter on the topic of trials, long-lasting circumstances that challenge and cause discomfort. He encourages the reader (Jewish Christians scattered in their various homes following Stephen becoming a martyr, in other words, believers who were facing fears and uncertainty) to embrace trials. He is shifting the perspective from the tangible evidence of the circumstance to the opportunity for faith, which may otherwise seem invisible or difficult to put a finger on, to actually be revealed. Essentially, James is announcing, “We’ve all been doing lots of talking about our faith and what it means. We’ve all been reading the scripture, discussing Jesus’ life, and spreading the gospel. Now we have a real opportunity to put that faith to work!” 

By the time he gets to verse 9, he’s amped up and on a roll, full of the Spirit as he writes. “If you have no money, watch the power of Jesus show up! If you have tons of money, watch the power of Jesus show up!” Now hold up the other hand, our quote. In the midst of James’ truth we set our attention on the Spirit and truth. We can see, money is the circumstance trying to define us and persuade us, box us in. It is the trial. But the trial is actually an opportunity for all our Sundays of worship and listening to teaching and going through books together and Living Waters University and women’s gatherings and kids camp and men’s breakfasts, to be put to work! 

Our church has been on both sides of this verse, so much bountiful bank account excess, and pulling from savings to pay for immediate essentials watching balances dip lower and lower each week. But we are a people moving into the kingdom, setting our attention on HIM.

There isn’t a place where we arrive and say, “Now our finances are in a good spot.” Every spot is an opportunity to set our eyes and attention on Him. With anticipation we ask, “Jesus, show us where you are in this circumstance of seeming lack. Show us where you are when you lavish us with provision. Show us where you are when we have just barely enough. Show us where you are when it seems inconsistent. PUT OUR FAITH TO WORK!” 

Because this is true always, regardless of the circumstance, it stretches far beyond finances. It’s a prayer for all areas of life. It’s my prayer with all of you for our church, for leadership, and our own personal “circumstances”.