“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NLT)
We live in a world of instant. Instant gratification and little effort. In some things, instant works. But in others, instant gratification means living a life of compromise and missing out on the benefits.
Afterward is used in today’s verse, and it reminds me instant gratification is not my goal.
Afterward means there is a lapse of time between where I am now and what I will receive. Afterward means waiting.
If you’re like me, even the word wait calls up feelings of idleness when we want to be doing. I envision a waiting room at the hospital or doctor’s office.
A few years ago, the LORD gave me a perspective change when our pastor at the time asked, “What do you call someone who waits?”
Answer? One who waits; a waiter or waitress.
How’s that for a perspective changer? No more sitting and twiddling our thumbs. Waiting is active!
What does today’s verse tell me will happen between now and when I receive my reward?
I will be tested and tempted! And I’m to go through the testing and temptation with patient endurance!
Our youngest granddaughter once told me she learned patience is waiting with a happy heart.
Waiting and patience collided in my mind when I read today’s verse. I am to serve the LORD with a happy heart and not be concerned with my reward. It will come, but that cannot be my focus or I will fail each test and succumb to the temptations of my day.
I’ve been reminded I cannot wait well without a steadfast focus on the ONE I’m waiting on. I must be attentive to the LORD and what He asks of me. Otherwise, I will trade the instant gratification of this world for the reward He has for me. That would be a very sorry trade indeed!
LORD, thank You for this reminder to keep You and not my reward as my focus. Please keep me focused on You as I wait, so I will pass each test and resist every temptation with patient endurance and a happy heart.
And LORD, for those reading this, surround them with Your presence. Enable them to see their value in Your kingdom. Cause their hearts to be filled with Your joy as they wait on You this day. May every test and temptation seem small as they live this day happily serving You and trusting their reward will come, afterward. Amen.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
After reading this and thinking of the waitress busily serving vs anxiously or impatiently waiting , I thought of Hebrews 12:1 and what running with patience really meant.
I took this from all the little pieces .com blog post dated Jan 14, 2015 :
“Embrace the process. Whatever you’re doing, there’s always going to be a “middle” in there somewhere. And if you’re staring down at your feet, or just an arms-length ahead, the middle can look pointless, confusing, or just plain boring. Keep your head up — looking around and ahead doesn’t have to be a sign of distraction. It can be an act of gratitude.”
There is so much to be learned in the middle/ waiting room and so many blessings to be had