Part of being a successful song writer is being able to communicate a story in a creative and unique manner. Jordan St. Cyr Singer is a Sharer of God’s Word, who served with Youth With a Mission as a teenager. This experienced prepared Jordan to create songs like his most recent one entitled Fires.
[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, 7 So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed, 1 Peter 1:6-7.
The lyrics of Fires point to the lesson one of Jesus’ disciples learned the hard way. If you’re not challenged in life by trials, you won’t grow spiritually. Each circumstance, hardship or persecution that you endure makes your stronger. May the message of Fires help you embrace touch times as opportunities for growth, James 1:2-4.
Maturity is one of those traits where there is always room for improvement. Depending upon the situation, you never know when tantrums from your childhood may rear its ugly head. There is something about pressure and stress that often brings out raw emotion. Whenever you fail these social pop quizzes, it’s a painful reminder that you still have a long way to go on the journey toward maturity.
As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. 7 Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving, Colossians 2:6-7.
The apostle Paul compares maturity to planting a tree in a good location. The Psalmist writes about the ideal environment down by a river side so that roots can get fresh water daily, Psalm 1:1-3. Jesus tells a story about 4 basic soils, 3 of which have limitations that will hamper and stunt your growth, Matthew 13:18-23. Only when you plant yourself in a fertile environment will maturity begin to blossom.
Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing, James 1:2-4.
The earthly brother of Jesus refers to opportunities for growth in the passage above. Despite how frustrated and irritated you may become, trials and temptations serve as a way to work out your rough edges. Meanwhile, one of Jesus’ disciples compares difficult situations to proving grounds where your faith is tried and tested. The more things that are thrown at you, your journey toward maturity will be accelerated as long as you cling to faith in Christ.
Every time I hear, read and see a news story about suicide, part of me wonders how bad were things in someone’s life to follow through with killing themselves? Breaking news of the latest victims to suicide, Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade is a daily reminder of a growing number of demoralized souls that exist within society. According to Matthew 27:3, guilt and remorse convinced Judas Iscariot to take his own life. With most of the disciples hiding to escape the same fate of Jesus, there was no one to talk Judas out of this ill fated decision.
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4.
Besides suicide, other demoralized souls tend to follow in the footsteps of the woman mentioned in John’s gospel. When broken hearts, jaded minds and fragile souls stop caring, some go looking for love in all the wrong places. During a conversation within John 4:15-18, Jesus talks to a woman who had gone through five failed marriages. To avoid another divorce, she decided to live with her latest boyfriend, afraid of what the future may hold. Whether you are currently in a relationship or not, the Bible does provide solutions to recover from a demoralized soul.
Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. 14 But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). James 1:12-14.
If you listen to certain television evangelists, their messages paint a rosy colored perspective on life, emphasizing only the positive. Unfortunately, this is far from reality, something Jesus’ earthly brother addresses in the passages above. Trials should not only be expected, but embraced by believers. These unsettling events provide opportunities for growth, to cope, deal with and develop maturity. Each day offers teachable moments, like a pass fail test to let you know your strengths and weaknesses. The key is refusing to give up or quit, despite how you may feel. The ultimate goal is to remain steadfast, leaning on friends, family and faith to get you through trials and tribulations. As long as you understand what you are up against, joy and peace is attainable via the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23. The next time you are demoralized, cry out to Jesus in prayer to find comfort for your soul, Matthew 11:28-30.
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