July 18 | James 1:1-5

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DAILY READING

James 1:1-5

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REFLECTION

Answering the Call

By Jennifer Jerrome

Do you believe in coincidences, or do you feel things happen for a reason – that God designed a situation or experience for your personal growth?

When I received today’s scripture assignment, I thought “Wait, I wrote about James 1 just a few months ago.” Should I write about the same thing so soon? I considered requesting a change but felt God nudging me to reflect on it again from a different perspective.

The current sermon series is about vocations, so I started looking at these five verses from the lens of James’ call to faith. Initially James and Jesus’ other brothers didn’t believe in his ministry. John 7:5 states: For even his own brothers did not believe in him. But the Resurrection radically changed things, especially for James.

Once James was “all in,” his focus became one of faith rather than family ties. He wanted his audience to know he was “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 1) shying away from identifying himself as the brother of Jesus.

The heart of James’ message is about perseverance amidst trials and tribulations, but I find verse 5 to stand out in today’s context…If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

During most of Jesus’ life, James lacked wisdom. He didn’t realize who his brother was, but God knew James would one day become a great warrior in his army of faithful servants. God didn’t forsake these brothers who didn’t believe. Instead, He gave generously to all without finding fault. He gave James a clearly defined purpose and James took that call and ran with it. No doubt his life looked vastly different after the Resurrection.

A calling from God can come at any time. I’m of the camp that there are no coincidences because repeatedly God has used experiences to wake me to his message.

As I was writing this, I came across a poem in the daily devotional, Streams in the Desert for Graduates,

Just where you stand in the conflict,

There is your place.

Just where you think you are useless,

Hide not your face.

God placed you there for a purpose,

Whate’re it be;

Think He has chosen you for it;

Work loyally.

Put on your armor! Be faithful

At toil or rest!

Whate’re it be, never doubting

God’s way is best.

Out in the fight or on lookout,

Stand firm and true;

This is the work that your Master

Gives you to do (p. 242).

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, sustain me on this journey of discovering who I am and what purpose I serve in your faithful army. Keep me steady when I want to run the other way. You have called me to this time and place. May I navigate life with your guidance and protection. I know I may not always understand your plans, but they are yours and not mine. May I have the courage and strength to answer the call. Amen

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JENNIFER JERROME

I have known I was a child of God from the beginning. I was baptized and raised in the Catholic church and began attending UALC about 18 years ago when my husband I were searching for a place to worship and serve as a family. UALC has helped shape our faith over the years. We have been through several seasons of life and the constant has been our faith and family.