Day 9
But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile]. James 3:17
Let’s do a quick and honest internal review shall we? If you were to score yourself a point for every time in the last month the wisdom you applied was in line with the qualities in the above scripture, what score would you get? If you score a 4/8, congrats you're probably in the top 10% of us.
My husband and I went to Dubai for holiday a while back and on our way back home, we were expected to have a negative COVID result. We did our research and found out the appropriate place to get the COVID test and the appropriate date and time in line with our departure date. The process to get the test ended up being very stressful, we stayed in a queue in the cold for hours to make sure we did the test and got to our hotel quite late.
Our departure day arrived and unfortunately for us, the test result had not been emailed to us as promised.
We got to the airport with the hope that the result would still get to us in time to check in and went through the process of packing our bags, going through security, standing in the queue for check in, etc. While we were at the airport, we discussed the possibility of ‘creating’ a document that would serve as a COVID test result to enable us to check in and fly but I was strongly against it. We kept hoping all the way to the check in counter that the actual test results would arrive but it did not and we were not able to fly.
I felt quite bad because it meant additional costs (changing ticket, additional night in the hotel, etc) and stress for my husband (he still had to go back and forth to the hospital to get the result on little to no sleep).
Perhaps you are wondering why I did not just agree to the fake test, afterall we did our part but the hospital failed us. My husband is probably wondering with you too. Well let me try to explain it to you.
Everything I have in my life is from God- money, family, resources, wisdom - it's all from God and I am determined to constantly give them back to Him regardless of how it plays out for me at the moment. If I truly believe that all things work together for my good (Rom 8:28) and God has gone before me to make my path straight (Isa 45:2) then I cannot make plans outside of His ways to save myself even if it leads to a major inconvenience or even pain. Obedience to God is better than sacrifice. It is more important to me than anything else.
Many times the expectations that the Lord has for us may seem daunting or overwhelming but we must keep at it, we must be consistent and unwavering regardless of discomfort or pain. The grace to do all things is in us already through the help of the Holy Spirit. Part of trusting God is acting in a way that would honor Him and bring all men to know Him. God calls us His witnesses (Isa 43:10) and a witnesses’ job is to testify. When we say one thing and do another or use earthly wisdom, we put ourselves in a position to be called hypocrites and compromise our testimonies.
I want to remind you that the wisdom from God is first of all pure. Heart check.
And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” Job 28:28
Thank you