Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him (James 1:12).

Please take a moment to read this week’s entire passage! NIV

Please take a moment to read this week’s entire passage! MSG

Sometimes God moves in a mysterious way.  Other times you find him sitting right next to you.  I shared a ride with him in an Uber this week.

I was traveling to an event in Chicago, and did the usual rideshare to get downtown.  When the car ride started, I was thinking about the book of James, and reflecting on this first chapter.  What does it mean to persevere under trial, stay faithful in Jesus, and receive what is promised?  In a 25-minute Uber ride, God showed me firsthand. 

A few minutes into the ride, Dom and I engage in a little small talk. I talk about North Carolina, and he talks about being born in Pakistan. I ask him what brought him to Chicago.  He quickly answers with a laugh, “I’m still trying to figure that out.”  Then after a long pause, Dom talks about being Catholic.  He left Pakistan because his family was facing persecution for his belief in Jesus. He left behind his career and wealth to come to America.

Dom knew he needed to integrate his faith and life together. Facing persecution, uprooting his family, and leaving behind an otherwise prosperous life was an incredibly challenging trial, but he persevered.  But now Dom and his family fully enjoy the blessings of a life integrated with faith.

I reflect on my own life. I’m not facing persecution.  I live in an amazing community, with a wonderful church.  I’m free to worship Jesus. But every week I face trials that seek to pull my focus off Jesus.  

Integrating my faith and life together means instead of chasing kudos for being the last one to sign out at work, I wind down responsibly so I’m not too exhausted to engage with my small group after work. 

Integrating my faith and life together means I put more priority on volunteering and charitable work, instead of exhausting myself with other projects I think are “getting me ahead”.

Integrating my faith and life together means Sunday service becomes a focus of my week. It’s a time I’m fully engaged in, and not something I just fit in when I can.

Dom has a magnificent story, and through his perseverance of trials, his faith is integrated into his life, and his family is thriving through Jesus.  While my trials are nowhere near as dramatic, Dom’s story was an amazing reminder that the call from Jesus to make sure my faith is fully integrated is just as important!

Trials come in many forms, but all seek to pull you away from Jesus. Think about trials this week that are pulling you away from Jesus.  Tackle what you can, but if something seems too big, remember your faith community and reach out!