Wisdom at Work

A spark has lit the flame

The fire of adversity has begun its work

Sitting in its kiln is perfection in process

God has chosen the trial to bring steadfastness

But we are not left alone

We are not left to ourselves

The wise one offers his wisdom

And a promise to sustain us in the process

We shall be like him

We shall wear the crown of life

Now we are being conformed

Being made into a clearer reflection of who he is

Thomas Goodwin, a 17th century Puritan theologian, said,

"a thing then is perfect when all the parts that belong to it are finished." ¹

He is referring to what James wrote in his letter,

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ²

Our lives are under God's continual process, a process owned by him. So, we do not trust the process, we trust the one who owns it. God will finish what he began in us, but we face a quandary, a perplexity. We need wisdom to navigate the in-between, the space sitting betwixt trial start and trial finish. But we are not left alone to despair over this, for the wisdom we need to reach our reward is made abundantly available in the one who guides our very steps.

We have a promise that Jesus, the one who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, will never leave or forsake us. We can believe God; that,

"He is employing the difficulties of life as tools of grace to produce character in you that would not grow any other way." ³

God, the one who is sanctifying you, calls you perfect. ⁴ And he is the one who will supply all that you need to reach the joy that he has in store for you. Hold on, saint, his plans for you are for good.

References

¹ The Works of Thomas Goodwin, Volume 2, Patience and its Perfect Work, p446.

² James 1:4

³ Paul David Tripp, New Morning Mercies, October 16th

⁴ Hebrews 10:14 - For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.