Reading: John 1:1-18, James 1:1-11, Ecclesiastes 1, Jeremiah 1-2

Recall:
James 1:2-4
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

Jeremiah 1:4-10
Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” But the LORD said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’;
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you,
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.”
Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me,
“Now I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to pull down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.”

Jeremiah 2:27b-28
But in the time of their trouble they say,
“Come and save us!”
But where are your gods
that you made for yourself?
Let them come, if they can save you,
in your time of trouble;
for you have as many gods
as you have towns, O Judah.
Reflect:
How striking the words of Jeremiah in chapter 2 in light of what is going on in the world today. We have made gods, maybe not out of trees and rocks like Judah, but out of stocks and houses and toothpaste. They looked so solid, so real. But when the legs get knocked out from under them, everything comes crashing down. They aren't there when we call. They don't matter anymore.

I never get tired of reading James. Count it all joy! The trials are making me better. Boy, that's a different pair of glasses. Every challenge is making more mature, more complete. Thank you God!

Like Jeremiah, I am nervous about what you have called me to. But you are making me who you need me to be. You are touching my lips. If I am keeping my head up and paying attention, I will see every circumstance I face is an opportunity for you to mature me and complete me.

Respond:
Lord God, I want to be complete. I want to be used by you. I will face the trials with zeal, knowing it is an opportunity for you to form me.