My brothren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. -James 1:2-4
I already posted somewhat about patience in suffering bringing about our perfection. I love how this verse emphasizes that point - that when we allow our trials to work in us, patience has its "perfect work," making us "perfect and entire." Patience makes us whole! And the last phrase gives me an idea of one way that patience makes us whole: we want nothing. I think that more often than not, "wanting nothing" doesn't mean that we have everything we might want. Far from it! I think that it means that by exercising patience in trial, we learn to let go of the things that we want but that aren't God's will for us right now. We learn to be content with what the Lord has given us and are willing to wait on the promises He has made for as long as we need to. We learn to choose happiness regardless of our circumstances. And then we are whole, wanting nothing.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life... -James 1:12
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ... -Hebrews 13:20-21
My synopsis of your post: Having patience, willingly submitting, and choosing humility. That's what it takes to want nothing in our lives.
ReplyDeleteA constant battle, but a righteous one, and one with an obtainable goal. (And thank goodness for incremental rewards.)