Just got back from Hockey and it’s 2am. This post is almost like Drunk History, except i’m not drunk, just overly tired.

Here are a couple comments from a person who is tired and reading the bible a little differently these days… but I hesitate to say that I am adding anything new. This is from James 1:2-8. I have been facing some trials, so it seemed fitting.

James 1:2-3: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

I think when I read “perseverance” I used to think it meant “no matter what anyone says against what I believe don’t back down.” Almost like a good Tom Petty song. But instead I see this saying that challenges are good and it’s important to be challenged. In fact I encourage you to read counter opinions of your beliefs and experience them. It is those experiences that allow you to truly know that you know.

James 1:4: Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

And it’s this statement that needs to be included for my point to be complete itself. Almost like you have to let the challenge sink in.

James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

What I love about this statement is that James doesn’t let up. He first says let the trials come, then he encourages us to work them out. Not run. Not believe blindly. But gain access to wisdom so that you know that you know. Brilliant! And God won’t fault you for working it out. In fact he applauds you.

James 1:6-8: But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

This just gets so good. James looks you in the eye and says, “guess what there is an answer.” Don’t give up and walk away. You must believe the answer is real and available and not just give it a “ho hum” and go back to believing what you have already believed. You must fight through and work it out. This is not good doubt, this is lazy doubt. Lazy doubt says “ah the answer is too hard, I’m going to just believe what I have been told all my life.”

So don’t just blindly believe. Challenge and grow so that you know what you know.

Version 1.0 of Sleepless Theology.