When the new parsonage was built I dug up a maple sapling that was growing beside the old parsonage. I wanted this tree from the old place to be part of the new place. It was less than a foot tall when I planted it behind the new house and for years our daughter liked to point out how tiny this little tree was.
Last summer I stood beside it, and its top branches reached over my head.
What does James urge? What real life example does he compare our faith to? What hope does he offer in verse 8?
Working with plants and crops can teach a person about patience. Farmers plant in the spring and then must tend the crops for months until they grow to maturity. It is a process that involves hope and planning, but mostly patience as they wait for the plants to grow to maturity.
Such is our faith. The seeds of faith have been planted in us, either through our upbringing or through a conversion experience. We are now on a path of spiritual growth, and like the farmer’s crops our souls require the time needed to grow and mature.
After the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus many believers thought the end of the world would come quite soon. Two-thousand years later we are still following the teachings of those first disciples, still working to be faithful followers of Christ.
When will it end? When will Jesus return? The answer is still unknown. In the meantime we are to continue with our faith, and continue to serve the Lord by doing good to those around us. We must continue to work toward perfecting our faith and living a life of godliness.
The maple tree has grown but it still has a lot of growing yet to do. In time it will reach full maturity. If I had pulled it up in frustration after just one or two years it would not have reached the height it is right now. And it would never have the opportunity to keep on getting taller and stronger.
Our faith needs time to grow. In spite of our failings and the trials of trying to be a good and holy Christian, we must persist. There is no set time for Christian life (twenty years and you’re done!). We must be patient and stand firm in our faith. And we must persevere and persist in our growth.
DAILY CHALLENGE: Find a new way to grow spiritually, such as adding Bible study, more prayer time, or more acts of mercy to your life.
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