Construction Zone
Author: Chrissy S.
27 July 2003
Here in Wisconsin, we have no good driving seasons. Sometimes fall isn’t
bad, but then it snows. Spring is nice, that is when it’s not snowing.
But then summer comes and all the road construction begins and traffic is,
again, a wreck. So if it is not snow or ice ruining the drives to here or there,
it’s the road construction. It’s nice to have a newer road or route,
but until it’s finished, it’s a chaotic mess. For one, traffic
must slow down (understandable). Then the fines double (but it’s your
fault if you are doing something wrong). But sometimes the roughest part is
having to take a detour around the area and losing valuable time in the process.
Job’s drive was a frustrating one, as God was constantly doing construction
work on it. James wrote about Job’s example saying, “Therefore be
patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious
produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late
rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord
is near. Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves
may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. As an example,
brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name
of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance
of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord
is full of compassion and is merciful. But above all, my brethren, do not swear,
either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes,
and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment. Is anyone among you
suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.” (James
5:7-13 NASB) Life is not always easy, nor is it fair. But the reality is that
we must endure, persevering through the challenge set before us. I get many letters
from teens that have pondered the thought of suicide. One thing I often ask is:
how do you know what the other side of the road will be like if you don’t
take the detour around the roadblock? (Suicide is NOT a detour, it is a dead
end to life, a dead stop.) Life can be rough, but Jesus can also fill it with
joy. If you just stop where the going gets tough, you lose it all. God has plan
for our lives. Sure it isn’t easy and at times you just want to quit, but,
how can you say it will never get better if you don’t know what lies ahead
of you?
Back to James’ message, we must be patient at the work site God has made
of our lives. We need to slow down and allow for change to occur in our lives.
Realizing that God has a plan, we must wait to see what God wants to do in and
through us.
Finally, I cannot stress enough that we need to constantly connect to God through
prayer and praise. James said it well, “Is anyone suffering? Then he must
pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.” (5 v.13 NASB) In the
car, we often turn the radio on to connect with a new source that knows what
the traffic is like, where the construction sites are, etc. Likewise, we ought
to connect to the all-knowing, ever present God. We shouldn’t just limit
it to when we are suffering or cheerful, but we should make it a constant practice
(meaning 24-7) of inviting His presence in, testifying to His greatness and trusting
in His sovereign care for us.
When the construction site is near and the traffic gets tough, we should hold
back our tongue’s frustration (watching the words we use and the attitude
we have), trusting in our Holy awesome God and enduring with patience until we
reach the end. God is going to do great things in and through your life- even
when things are going really rough- so fasten your seat belt and don’t
give up!
**Following Up** Check out James 1. Read it over and over, then, pray about
it.
I realize that the topic is easier said then done. This past school year
has to be one the roughest ones I’ve ever had. People always ask me how and
where I’ve gotten the strength and joy despite all that has happened
and honestly, it is Christ. Enduring through this year’s troubles was
a struggle, but God was beyond faithful to be the strength and joy that I (alone)
did not have. Partnering up with God changed the whole outlook on the year
and filled in where I was lacking...
