It’s about We

 

“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.” [Jas 1:9-11 ESV]

 

“You’re supposed to be sick, so act like it!”  My mother hollered up the steps.  My brother and I were jumping on his beds.  We were home sick from school with the measles but neither of us had a serious case.

 

Society expects certain behavior for our station or circumstance.  I was once told that I was not acting like I needed financial assistance.  Hmmm.  Is there a behavior that is appropriate to our lot in life?

 

I read James 1:9-11 on the hottest day of the year so far. “Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower…as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers.”  (The Message)  Fortunately, my little pot of wildflowers didn’t read The Message that day because they bloomed like crazy that day.

 

Rather than complying with expected behavior perhaps we are to rejoice in what God has given us, all of us, in the moment.  It’s not about the separation of groups.  Life is about community. Witness is about “We.”

 

My granddaughter has a collection of cooperative board games.  My husband and I were raised in the competitive gaming model.  We didn’t enjoy these games until we read the instructions well.  The goal of the game was to get the chickens into the safety of the coop before all the sun cards were played.  This meant the three players, two old competitors and a future world changer, discussed the strategy for each of us to play to get those chicks in the nest before sundown.

 

Perhaps this game should be a model for Life.  We should cheer for everyone who makes a difference in the world, regardless of how small.

 

The game of Life is about We.  We all succeed or really there is no success.  Success as the world defines it, prosperity, is fleeting.  Heat, cold, evil can end the prosperity.  God’s plans are eternal and for all.

 

How does that thought lead us to behave?  Our circumstance should not dictate our response or behavior.  Rather, our trust in God’s control and care.  Our wildflowers are survivors amidst the record breaking heat because occasional rain has blessed them and the caretaker, me, has a dependable schedule for watering.

 

In spite of the scorching environment, bloom where planted, we, like the wildflowers, need to stick together.  I think the wildflowers flourished under the excessive heat because they would not alone! Together we rejoice in God, His provision, His love, His faithfulness.