Sunrise

Times of testing continue as each day begins. The pinkish-orange hues of a morning sunrise break forth a beautiful new day. 

Each day when new joys and challenges are the norms especially with COVID and WW3 on the horizon, sunrises remind me a new day dawns. The sounds of a rooster crowing, a dog barks, a cat yells to be let outside. Do you need this visual reminder as another day begins?

Being a support to family, friends, and our own children at this time is imperative. However, where do you get your wisdom? Is your wisdom gained from the mindless scrolling of news, social media, or gossip from the smartest person you know?

Or is your truth found when you take time to plug into the source of wisdom, the Bible? It is found in the New Testament, it is the second half of the Christian Bible. It deals with the life and teachings of Jesus along with documented stories and letters from the early Christian church.

James is toward the end of the New Testament. I have loved the book of James because it is so easy to read. It doesn’t matter the generation, it is wise and poignant no matter your station in life. As a single, married, childless, or current mom, friend, or family, or in joy and trial, it is the place to discover wisdom.

James was the biological half-brother of Jesus. He was Mary and Joseph’s son. He hated and misunderstood his big bro, Jesus. He probably was jealous of all the attention Jesus gained until his death on the cross. Then, James had time for introspection and perhaps regret his past relationship with Jesus. He writes to the reader as one who has learned to trust God and put aside his human need to be right.

James 1: 2 - 6  
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 
3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 
4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.



5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 
6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.

Our endurance is being grown by our circumstances. Our loyalty must be with God alone, He never wavers or changes. If you struggle with divided loyalty, such as trying to control things on your own over trusting God. You are not alone so did James. A new sunrise, a new day can bring a new response. make it a good one.