A mission and ‘a mission’

Lily Cathcart March 06, 2024 4 4

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James 5: 7-12 (NRSVA)

7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

12 Above all, my beloved, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No’ be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Life is a mission.

I mean this in the encouraging way that we can always have purpose and find ways to fulfil it. I also mean it in the way where I might sigh loudly and put too much emphasis on the word mission with a roll of my eyes. “Ooft, life is a mission.”

James tells us in verse 11 ‘we call blessed those who showed endurance.’ Life can sometimes feel like it’s not enough good mission and a little too much hard endurance. But if there is anything to be learned from Esther’s story, which we have been looking at this week, it is that endurance and mission often go hand in hand. She didn’t let her worries, her circumstances, her grief and fear eat her up, instead she set the table and made her mission a test of her endurance.

I wish I had the strength of Esther and the faith of James but some days I can’t get past the initial feeling of ‘Ooft.’ Luckily I know that God is ok with that, God knows that humans need rest and reminds us that Esther had spent a year preparing before she embarked on her great mission. It’s good, I’m sure God will tell you, to rest and make ready for your mission when it comes.

So whether today you are resting or active, may God bless you and may you truly feel God’s love.

Prayer:

Dear God who endures,

Thank you that you stood by Esther and you stand by us

Help us to know how to balance our endurance and your mission

Guide us as we set the tables of our lives

Teach us when to rest and when to be active so your love can shine

Amen