What Will You Endure for Jesus?

Don’t run from tests & hardships, brothers & sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure & teach you true patience as you endure.
And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing.
James 1:2-4

Putting a Jacket On...

Last night, after returning home from Christmas caroling with our church family, we received emails from one of the church leaders. The email updated us that the new heating system was not finished and was still in process. With this being said, the email continued, asking anyone with small heaters, to bring them with us in the morning to provide heat for the morning worship service.


I'd like to tell you I had a positive and understanding outlook but I did not. I second guessed the timing of switching the heat over and how I wasn't going to spend my Sunday morning shivering because of a heating glitch. Why don't we just cancel church until next week when the new heating system is complete? As we discussed this inconvenience, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and I thought of our International Workers. I thought of Kamie, a friend participating in The World Race, and so many others in far worse conditions.

I went from a grumbling, judging, and just overall...negative...to humbled and reflective. Today I choose to put on the coat of thankfulness, appreciation, and love. I'm thankful for those bringing small heaters and for the warmer weather this morning. I appreciate the men and women working to install the new heating system and pray they aren't upset about the transition not being complete, it was out of their control. The coat of love warms the heart deeper than any heater ever can. Our leadership loves the Lord so much, they aren't foregoing our weekly worship service because of something as minor as no heat. Instead, they've used creative thinking to make it possible for us to still meet.

Joseph and Mary traveled miles and days to deliver Jesus in a cold manger. The very least I can do is travel a few short minutes in our vehicle and keep my coat on while worshiping the God who provides heat in our home, a vehicle to get to church, leadership dedicated to keeping our doors open, and an Eternal hope in my heart for whatever today and tomorrow might bring.

No heat for one service is a small inconvenience, not a hardship. This morning I'll put on my winter jacket and a positive attitude. Both are necessary and easy to do.

NOTE: We are home from one of the most beautiful Advent services I've been too. A new addition to the worship team provided a violin. Amazing. The church wasn't cold, actually, it was warmer than normal thanks to the generosity of those with space heaters. The chairs were full, the theme of "joy" was modeled by all at church this morning. Another lesson learned, sometimes what we think will be an inconvenience ends up being an unexpected blessing. A special thanks to all who made this morning's worship service a warm and beautiful success.

Do you sometimes perceive an inconvenience as a hardship? How would our attitudes and outlook change when we recognize the difference?