Supportive Role

“Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.” (James 1:12 MSG)

As I read this verse, the phrase, “loyally in love with God” stuck out to me.

When we face challenges, many of us imagine that God is by our side--playing the supportive role to our lead—coming to our assistance. What if, instead, we are by God's side, and every challenge is actually something God faces—and we are meant to assist Him? What if we are meant to stay by His side--loyally, lovingly, unswervingly...?

I examined the list of my current challenges. I took another look at each of them through the following set of filters:

--Who is managing this project? Am I taking the lead? Or playing a supporting role and following God’s lead?

--Can I count on God to handle this challenge?

--Am I sticking by His side, or trying to distract myself with busywork so as to avoid supporting Him?

As I put each of my current challenges through the above questions, I realized that God is the Project Manager on each of these trials, and He is dependable. However, I have to stick by Him and not run away, or hide, or attempt to avoid these difficulties.   

Lord, help me to count on You, be confident in You, to meet challenges with You. Help me to stay loyally, lovingly, by YOUR side, as You face these challenges—for every testing challenge is actually Yours to handle—I am merely playing a supportive role to Your lead.