God of the journey of life, guide, bless, and protect this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today is from James 5: 7 Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master's Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. 8 Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time. 9 Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner. 10 Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. (The Message)
Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. James writes it is the same as awaiting the crops as do the farmers, who know to let the rain do its job as well as the sun. James also knows that in the waiting our patience may wear thin and we may find ourselves not getting along with others, and can you believe, not getting along with other Christians! What gain is there to be found in anger or disagreement? And while we're trying to win this or argue that, James reminds us, "The Judge is standing just around the corner." Hmm. Does that mean we will be held liable for all that we said, thought, and did? The answer is, of course, yes. A better example for our lives is the lives of the prophets of old whose faith allowed them to face all that life (and other believers) sent their way.
Is your life like the prophets of old, or is it just like everyone else? Are you the one setting the example or are you being just like everyone else?
PRAYER: Loving God, I seek to be like those whose faith allowed them to face life without flinching and without giving in. Let me be the example of a loving, positive, life grounded and rooted in You. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
