Sunday School has been awesome for me the last few weeks.  I have enjoyed studying James 4, and God has shown me some areas of weakness in my personal life.  I tell you guys often, I teach to me and I hope you’re able to get something as well.

This week we camped out on verses 4-6.  We began by reiterating something from last week.  Verse 4 opens by calling us “Adulterers and Adulteresses”.  That’s pretty powerful language, and it’s not a very flattering picture of us (me).  However, I believe once you overcome the shock of the words, it is a very accurate picture of where we are as a culture and in most “saved” peoples lives.  We talk a good game – maybe even a great one, but the truth of Jesus Christ making a difference in my life is not there.  I do the right stuff for everyone to be impressed, but I’m standing on the street corner, selling my soul to whoever will give me some attention and make me feel good.  Ouch!

Verse 5 talks about the “Spirit that lives within us yearns jealously”.  The phrase calls to mind a deep, personal relationship.  I want the attention and time of my “best friend”, girlfriend/boyfriend, or family member.  I’m not jealous in the sense of not wanting them to speak to anyone else or look at anyone else, but I’m jealous in the sense of wanting their full attention and focus.  Jenny and I go our separate ways in the mornings.  She heads to teach 8th grade Language Arts and I head to church.  She interacts with lots of people every day.  That is fine, but when I see her in the evening and we sit down to eat a meal or get the kids settled, I want her attention.  She wants my attention.  We need time to talk about our life, where we are headed, how we are getting there, and we need to be honest with each other about our struggles and issues.  I don’t want God to have to be jealous of my time spent on other things.  I want Him to get the time He deserves and desires.

Verse 6 talks about His grace that is shown to me even when I don’t give Him all He deserves.  I’m thankful for that grace!!!  It also ends with a huge challenge – “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble”.  I want to be humble and receive His grace.  I do not ever want it to be said that God “resisted” me because of my pride.  I don’t want my humility to be just words – I want it to be my real heartbeat.  I’m nothing outside my relationship with God himself!  There, I said it.  Now that feels better!

I love you all very much, and I’m grateful to see what God has in store for us!

WG