Accessible Answers // Micah

James 1:5-7 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord..”

The whole counsel of God speaks to the fact that wisdom is both essential and accessible. While this passage emphasizes the means by which we access wisdom, it does so with an underlying assertion that drives the quest. Before we unpack keys necessary to unlocking wisdom’s treasures, we must first esteem it as valuable, for no man asks for a thing until he is convinced he is in need of it.

But just because something is essential doesn’t mean it is easy to access. After all, one of the most deflating things in life is to long for something you never lay hold of. In James 1:5-7, our hopes are raised as we find wisdom to be attainable. Two keys emphasized in our text speak to the posture required for one looking for Heavenly insight. Humility is a prerequisite, for we must believe we need God’s wisdom and be willing to admit we are not self-sufficient. Admitting our need and our inability to solve problems alone is humbling. Once we hit our knees we must grab hold of faith, trusting that the One from whom we ask can indeed answer.

Father God, We know you are the One who is maker of Heaven and Earth and you are capable of granting us the insight we need. Please provide us the wisdom for life’s challenging questions, making the Answers Accessible.

- Micah McElveen

Well Off // Micah

James 1:9-11 “Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.”

James reminds us of a pragmatic truth, a materially poor brother is less tempted to find his security in money because he doesn’t have any to hope in. His position causes him to look for assistance outside himself. The humility needed to acknowledge ones’ need for help and to seek it from God comes more natural to him as life has made him well practiced.

On the other hand, the rich person is tempted to lean on his savings and trust in his earning potential instead of truly resting in God’s provision. Money for the rich is often elevated to a place of worship, used outside of God’s intended purposes and held over the heads of those in need. While mammon can prop a man up for a season, it cannot satisfy or save a soul.

One day soon, that false god whose reliable persona lures so many, will wither like winter rye in the summer heat and all who idolized it will wilt. Many, once proud and wealthy, will kneel in the ashes of their god, filled with acute humiliation. Next to them the poor, who looked to Jesus, will stand exalting in the Hope of Glory.

Wake us up, Lord. Help us trust you more and steward your resources in line with your desires. Help us love, serve and learn from the poor. Grant us Heaven’s perspective on how to live truly Well Off.

- Micah McElveen

Humbly Furnished Peace // Micah

When a false sense of survivable autonomy and an inflated view of self-sufficiency are embraced, our pride swells and inevitably anxiety is ushered in. Ripe with all the above are societies that ignorantly over exentuate their independence. Such societies idolize the "Lone Ranger" myth and elevate the "Last Man Standing" narrative. From Super Man & Captain America to John Wayne & Clint Eastwood, we tout rugged individualists who pull them selves up by their boot straps, draw solely from internal motivation, take on the bad guys with "no help from no buddy," and do it all without breaking a sweat. 

Beyond being unrealistic and disengenous the underbelly of this solo act mentality is grounded in ego, "the limelight need only shine on me" and naivety, "I don't need God or others." As if we gave ourselves raw talents, furnish the oxygen that fills our lungs, and self-hatched from an egg laid by a rock. 

Given over to this thinking, we find ourselves exaggerating our own contributions, buying our own press, spending extensive time managing our image and increasingly worrying about all we are responsible to sustain. Ironically, a "solo uno" approach to life feeds pride and anxiety because it puts the weight of the world and the responsibility to keep it spinning on shoulders that aren't load-bearing. Left unchecked, this weight eventually sinks the most stalwart of ships.

In God's economy, humility and peace, are inextricably linked and together provide the keys needed to loose the shackles of pride and anxiety. Humility says, "Lord, you are mighty and by your hands, great good can be ushered in through your servants." It says, "you have called me to do life in community with others, who are strong where I am weak and wise where I lack understanding." It says, "I am free to cast the cares and anxieties that weigh me down on the one capable of shouldering the load." 

While pride says, "look at me," Humility calls for us to, "fix our eyes on Him.” While anxiety says, "worry because it is all on me," peace says, "rest comes when you transfer the load to Him." While pride ultimately adorns the walls of ones heart with anxiety, humility furnishes the halls of our inner man with peace. 

"And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand 7 by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you." I Peter 5:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

- Micah McElveen