Am I wise?
I am wiser—
I know more Scripture—
I understand it better—
I walk in Relationship—
but . . .
Do I live differently? Differently enough?
Does my behavior profess Christ? Profess enough?
“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.” James 3:13
Is there a measuring tool for wisdom?
A measurement for good enough behavior?
I can get really frustrated with myself. God is teaching me so much and I feel overwhelmed in my attempts to wrap my mind around all the truths within me.
I forget He reveals—His Spirit causes me to understand.
I want to live it out, now . . . get it all within real deep, today—replacing the junk
lies I’ve believed
behaviors I’ve adopted
sins I’ve embraced.
To be completely honest, I often feel the hypocrite in this place because I do not readily live all I write and post. I want to! I am learning to! I am growing to become everything He shares with me that I turn and share with you—but the truth of the matter is I have some pretty horrid habits! Ways of dealing with life and the people in it that is not always Jesus-like!
It takes time to soak out a stain.
And I am full of stains. The stain of my sin may be forgiven, but consequences leave their marks. Soaking in grace, renewing the mind, capturing thoughts, conversing with Jesus are all detergents after the same thing—stain removal!
Changing this heart of hard, rebellious flesh into moldable, yielding clay the Potter can work with.
It takes time to fashion a vessel.
And I am not the Potter. As much as I want to “assist” God in His work—it. is. His! I am only to yield, be guided, and follow—allowing His fingers to glide across my soul gracefully pressing and shaping me into His desired utensil, fit for service.
Building deep trust in any relationship takes building! It’s a process full of experiences. It is developed!
It takes time to love deeply.
And love involves listening. Too often I pray, close with “amen” and walk away. I must linger. Waiting for the Lord to respond. God wants me to hear what He has to say today—from His Word and in our time together.
Growth in the Fruits of the Spirit is not attainable by will and mere effort. They are evidences of a life transformed.
It takes time to be renewed.
And the process is not mine—obedience is! For “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). I willfully die to my flesh—moment by moment—until Christ is my life (Colossians 3:4).
My behavior today reveals wisdom I did not understand yesterday.
My behavior tomorrow will reveal understanding I was not wise in today.
I soak
I yield
I listen
I obey
I take the time it takes.
For my time is in His hands! (Psalm 31:15)
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Click here for the other posts from my study of the book of James
I am joining The Good Morning Girls as we study James together.
Linked up with {Titus 2}sday, Living Well Wednesdays, Works For Me Wednesdays and Far Above Rubies
Linked up with {Titus 2}sday, Living Well Wednesdays, Works For Me Wednesdays and Far Above Rubies
