Unspotted

photo from Bing.com

Of the 13 houses Dick and I have lived in since we got married, my favorites all have a common denominator--a window over the kitchen sink. I love to gaze out at the world around me while I wash my hands or fill a pot with water or swirl the dishrag around in a bowl. It sounds unlikely but the view transports me from mundane tasks to inner peace and joy.

However, a problem recurs with windows over a sink—they get spotted easily. Water droplets, soap bubbles, food particles, and fingerprints all mar the glass and obscure my view. Every few days I must take a paper towel and a simple solution of warm water and white vinegar to wipe off the window and clear my view.

Kind of reminds me of a verse from the book of James:

“Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this:

to visit orphans and widows in their affliction,

to keep oneself uncorrupted by the world.”

Other versions use the words unpolluted, unstained, undefiled, and unspotted—unspotted, like my kitchen window needs to be.

It’s easy for me to “un-spot” my window, but how do we keep our souls unspotted by the world? The Bible offers some good advice:

Be careful who we spend time with. Are our closest friends fellow believers? Are they trying to live for Jesus?

• “Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God.” (Psalm 1:1)
• “Bad companions ruin good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Be careful what we fill our thoughts with. Are the books and magazines we read reinforcing God’s values? Do the programs and movies we watch uphold God’s moral compass? Is the music we listen to uplifting?

• “Fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.” (Philippians 4:8)
• “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Be careful of what takes priority. When was the last time we meditated on God’s Word? Or sat in silence listening for His voice? How long has it been since we attended church, Bible study, or a Christian fellowship group? Have overtime hours, sporting events, housework or entertainment taken priority? 

• “Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you.” (Matthew 6:33)
• “In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” (Proverbs 3:6)

What about when the window of our soul is already spotted with thoughts, words, and behaviors that are not pleasing to God? 1 John 1:9 says if we confess those things to God he will forgive them and cleanse us from them. A simple solution! Once we get our spiritual windows unspotted, we will discover the peace and joy that living for Jesus offers.

How do you keep yourself unstained by the world?

Be encouraged!

Pam

©2015 Pamela D. Williams

Handling Trials

Photo from Morguefile.com

“My friends, consider yourselves fortunate

when all kinds of trials come your way . . .”

James 1:2

Not too many of us look on trials as blessings—at least not in the moment “when”--

            your daughter is in the ER with breathing difficulties

            your employer informs you that your position has been terminated

            your father shows significant signs of Alzheimer’s

            your car breaks down on the Interstate

            your house has been on the market for two years

            you get a call from the school principal’s office about your son

you develop stomach flu while on vacation

These and a million other scenarios can frighten, anger, overwhelm, disgust, worry, and disappoint us. Seldom do trials initially illicit joy, praise, thanksgiving, or a sense of well-being.

So how do we reconcile with James 1:2? How do we live out God’s admonishment?

I found a few clues to finding the blessings of trials in the rest of James 1.

Trials can build endurance. (James 1:3) It’s true: “What doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger.”

Trials can increase faith in God. (James 1:4) If He got you through this one, He will get you through the next.

Trials can forge wisdom. (James 1: 5) We learn from our experiences.

Trials can destroy doubts. (James 1:6) Nothing like a trial to show us that God IS with us!

Trials can make us happy! Really? How?

“Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

The key to these blessings in the face of trials is simply to remain faithful—to hold on tightly to God no matter how hard the wind blows or how violently the earth shakes or how many shoes the dog chews up!

How do you handle trials? Is it with hands of faithfulness? When have you reaped the blessings of a trial?

Be encouraged!

Pam

©2015 Pamela D. Williams