‘…..for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind’ (James Ch1 v 6)

“Waves are what happens when wind and tide take hold of the waters that are there all the time and make them dance to their tune….……the waves seem to have character and energy of their own. But they don’t. They are the random products of other forces. The challenge of faith is the challenge not to be a wave.” (Early Christian Letters for Everyone – Tom Wright)

How often are you and I like waves? We allow circumstances around us to dictate how we act. We allow people and their actions to influence who we are and how we behave……….

James talks about ‘testing,’ ‘trials’ and ‘wisdom‘ right at the very start of this letter…….’testing‘ and ‘trials‘……….we all experience these right? Some worse than others of course but, how do we handle them?

‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,  who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him ‘ (v5)

We aren’t talking about wisdom to make you a better businessman or, wisdom that will win arguments and make you look very clever ……this is not a selfish prideful wisdom………….instead, he is talking about the wisdom that only God can and will give!

Wisdom is one of the great themes of James’ letter……….

“Without that [wisdom], you’ll be double-minded, swept this way one minute and that way the next. You’ll just be another wave. With it, you will have a settled character. Wisdom. Patience. Faith.” (Early Christian Letters for Everyone – Tom Wright)

So, may we ask God for wisdom, knowing that He gives it generously and, may we remain steady and unchanging when trials and temptations come our way…….may we trust God and His word rather than the things in our world that distract and trap us………may we see that God and His word will last………………and that the ‘stuff’ in our world that threatens to distracts us is worthless and will ‘wither away‘ (v10-11)

Let’s ask God for wisdom…….