The Baby & The Bathwater – Build a Strong Life - Wednesday
Today’s Verse
James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (NIV)
My friend Nick is perhaps the calmest person I’ve ever met.
He’s one of those fun, unassuming guys that’s SO chill, it’s kind of impossible for anything to make him lose his cool—no matter how crazy or tense the circumstances may be.
This is why a few years ago, when the charter bus he was leading broke down on the way to Myrtle Beach, SC—no one from our team was the least bit worried about his ability to push through.
“I mean, it’s Nick,” one of my teammates smiled. “If this had to happen to anyone—he’s probably the best person it could’ve happened to…” I agreed.
I’m sure Nick didn’t feel that way in the moment. In fact, being stranded at a truck stop in middle-of-nowhere Tennessee with a bunch of high school boys probably wasn’t how he envisioned the first leg of his trip would go.
But he also probably didn’t expect the memories. He didn’t expect the boys to have such a good attitude about the situation. He didn’t expect the card games where packets of ketchup and mustard would become improvised poker chips. He didn’t expect #stayflexy to become a catchphrase because of how flexible everyone there had to be. And he definitely didn’t expect the hero’s welcome he received from our team, sprinting towards the bus like idiots as it finally pulled in a little before midnight.
“You guys are crazy,” he laughed, letting out a sigh of relief.
A few weeks later, our team sat and reflected on some wins from the trip. Looking back on the chaos of his experience, Nick summed up his journey in a simple, yet incredibly profound way: “If I had to do it over, I definitely wouldn’t choose it—but I also wouldn’t change it.”
ALL of us have had these kinds of moments in life. Moments that not only test our faith in Jesus, but also help produce the kind of perseverance that only comes from trusting Him. Our verse today is a beautiful reminder that even though there are many things we go through in life we probably wouldn’t choose for ourselves—with Jesus, these often turn into the moments we wouldn’t change, either.
Whatever trials come your way this week, my hope is that you’ll consider them pure joy as you persevere like James.
And #stayflexy like my friend, Nick.
REFLECTION
What is something you’ve experienced that you wouldn’t necessarily choose, but also wouldn’t change? How did it help strengthen your faith?
