But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt. (James 1:6)
Expanded Passage: James 1:6-8
Nik Wallenda was not the first child to follow his grandparents and parents into the family business. However, the Wallenda family business was performing high-flying stunts like the one Nik arranged in 2013. After much preparation, he stepped onto a thin wire intending to walk across the Grand Canyon completely untethered. With winds blowing at forty-eight miles an hour, Nik stood perilously above the canyon floor. Twenty-three minutes later, he stepped off the wire onto solid ground where his friends, family, and thousands of onlookers cheered him on.
Now let me ask you two questions. First, if you had been one of the onlookers, would you have believed Nik Wallenda could have successfully crossed the Grand Canyon? Second, would you have been willing to get on his back while he crossed the Grand Canyon? Suddenly, your belief in Nik would be challenged, probably creating hesitancy.
Similarly, it is easy to say we believe in God’s abilities during the good times. However, saying we believe becomes more difficult as we find ourselves in situations that are far beyond our ability. What is the value in trials? They reveal any hesitancy we may have in trusting God and his abilities. Follow Peter and Andrew’s example when Jesus called them to something far beyond their abilities: “At once they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:18).
Surrender to God what you cannot control.
TJ Albertson has been pastoring for nineteen years, the last seventeen in interchurch service. He loves teaching the entire Bible and its relevance to life.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
