James 1-becareful what you read

A few weeks ago on the way to an extremely important meeting, I got a flat tire. There was a chuck the size of a Moe’s burrito missing from the  tire. Later that day had to go in and get a brand new tire. Last night I was reading through James and got just a few verses in when he starts talking about perseverance and that if we are to truly make a difference, we’ll have to persevere through tough circumstances. I felt like I needed that as we start Backstage Leadership in a few weeks, looking at the next phase for World Causes and Free Chains and as I look at other projects on the horizon.

Thinking about that verse, I get up when the moon is still out this morning to head to the gym for a work out and a day of incredible productivity. After a nice work out, I climb in my car to head home to prepare for another important meeting. Do you know how many times a day/week/year we take for granted what happens when you turn the key to your car? Usually it starts right up and you’re off to your destination. That did not happen to me.

Battery is completely dead. I call every friend that is in a 5 mile radius to see if someone could come jump me off. No one in the parking lot has cables. I then go back in to the Y and they tell me a maintenance man would help if they could find him. After 10 minutes of waiting an older gentlemen sticks his head in the door and asks if I need a jump. We go to my car and on the first attempt, nothing happens. The car won’t even turn over. He decides to take the cables off and clean off some corrosion. He then asks what I do. Ha! I said, how long do you have? He said, he’s paid by the hour so he’s got as long as I need.

Our conversation covers the gambit of World Causes and preaching and all the stuff I’ve got my hands in. After the first failed attempt, he says, why don’t I pray for your car and meeting? (What do you say to that? No?) He prays for the car and after a second, it starts up. He looks at me and says, God is over all the little stuff too you know. Stuff like this will always happen, but its your reaction that impacts and shows your character.

We left the cables on to charge for a second and he prayed for my lunch meeting, our ministry, my marriage and I stood there and cried over my running engine. God is over the little stuff too. Wow, what a crazy morning. (I then got the opportunity to go buy a new car battery! A blessing tons of people don’t have).

What circumstances is God teaching you through right now?