Like Fading Flowers

A Devotional by Margot Ciocco

James 1:9

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

⁹ The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. ¹⁰ But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

I suppose the test is often felt when the heat is on. People accustomed to weath often do not last long becaue they are un accustomed to lack or depravation. The poor on the other hand have lived and faced the lack of things, position and power. I'm not saying that one needs to be poor or take a vow of poverty like Mother Teresa to be spiritual. I am saying that when we come to Jesus our social standing and wealthy does not give us a particular advantage. You can't buy your way to heaven. I think we will all have to answer what we did for God's glory with the gifts, talents and resources we were given.

I guess this stirs up a concern I have for some who may feel a call of God to do something, but think they will wait till they are successful to pursue that calling. What if someday or success never come. Our economic position should not keep us from pursuing God's call on our life. Usually God requires us to take an initial step of faith. Our lives though seemingly longer than that of a flower are also short. That reference to fading flowers may help us see how fleeting our lives are from God's vantage point. The question remains what will you do with yours. 

My friend Ryan asked three good questions in a class I attended last night and I am passing them along to you to consider. 

What have I done for Christ?

What am I doing for Christ?

What ought I to do for Christ? 

As I write this morning I am reminded of Rich Mullins who's life was cut short in a car accident. He said "Live like you'll die tomorrow. Die knowing you'll live forever, live right.  Love like you'll leave tomorrow, believing love lasts forever, live right" 

I want you to consider those things that you've been meaning to do for God,  but put off waiting for success or some big change or till you've become a better more spiritual person.  None of us knows how long our days will be on this earth. Don't put off something that you could do now, particularly if it something that God has called you to do. Sometimes the things we put off doing are the cause of the log jam in our life. We have not taken that next step of faith and things are piling up because that thing has stopped up the flow of God's Spirit in your life. 

Prayer:
Lord, 
Help us to not make excuses to put off doing those things you have been calling us to do. It may be something big or something very small but we've put it off for any number of reasons. Help us to take care of that thing this week or at least make some forward steps on that journey. Help us to remove the log jams that we have created in our lives because of our lack of faith, our doubt and unbelief or our fear of failure. Help us to take that step of faith to trust you. Help us to not put off doing what we could be doing now.