How to do Lectio Devina:
Sisters, this is really your time with the Lord. This will be a challenge but so fruitful. There will also be a short reflection. Give this a chance and see where the Lord takes you.
There are a couple of different ways to do this but there is one way that I will point out. This is a simple way to pray. A great resource here is your prayer journal.
1: Read the whole Scripture: James 3: 13-18
2: Reflect on it for a short time (3 min or more) and see if any particular verse stands out to you.
3: Read the verse that stood out to you again.
4: Reflect on it and see if a particular word stands out to you (3 min or more)
5: Reflect on the word and see what the Lord is trying to point out to you.
You can go back and read any verses that you stood out to you and just spend a short time in prayer (silence) and listening to what God wants to point out to you. God will show up. He always does.
Short Reflection
There are so many things around us that tell us to make a bold statement in every aspect of our lives. In our attitude and speech, Be Bold Ladies! In our wardrobe, Make a Bold Statement with Colors in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer (and Autumn when we remember it). Be Bold, with your lashes! Everything we do we’re told to do with Boldness, Passion, and Fervor. I believe that we think if we are being bold then we are somehow being courageous and unafraid. We’re told to put ourselves out there and not be afraid of what people have to say just make your statement and stand by it and once you’ve done that, you’re a strong woman. I am woman, hear me roar! These statements are very “me” oriented and “I” oriented. They point to and concentrate on oneself.
I believe that being bold and putting ourselves out there can be a serum to not be afraid. If we're not being bold then we're afraid of something and we're not being ourselves; so we must be hiding something that is looked down upon. Even if we don’t mean to think that of ourselves or others, we do. Sometimes we are conditioned to things, even if we don’t want to admit it. I mean, we hear these things enough around us and on commercials so why wouldn’t we be?
In these verses, James talks about wisdom. How does one show she is wise? By her works in meekness. (There’s that faith and works theme again) What does it mean to be meek? One thing real quick. Meekness is not weakness. They are NOT the same thing and not to be confused with one another. So, what is meekness then? Well I Googled it and Wikipedia said (which was a surprisingly good definition), “It has been defined several ways: righteous, humble, teachable, and patient under suffering willing to follow gospel teachings; an attribute of a true disciple.
Meekness has been contrasted with humility as referring to behaviour towards others, where humbleness refers to an attitude towards oneself - meekness meaning "restraining one's own power, so as to allow room for others.”
Meekness is described as very "other focused". Its not about me, its about the other. As we go through this letter, we have seen a lot of showing our faith by our action and not just profession alone. So when we do acts and works, James says here to not only do them but to do them in meekness.
This is a step deeper. The Lord, through James, is telling us how to do our works, how to show our faith. All of this comes from wisdom. If we do these acts in wisdom, they will be “pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.” (James 3:17) I don’t know about you, but all of my actions are not like that. I need to work on this one.
Wearing bold colors and having bold lashes isn’t a bad thing. But let us remember to give glory to God for having these things and being who we are. If we have natural boldness in who we are then great, that’s how the Lord made us. But let us make sure its how the Lord made us to be and not being that because it’s what is expected of us or fashionable. When we do any action, let us act in wisdom and truth, not being abrasive and pointing to ourselves but instead giving the glory to God.
Ladies, I encourage all of us to write down verse 17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.” and put it somewhere you will see it everyday so when we are about to go out into the world and our daily lives, it will serve as a reminder to be wise in all our actions and work and to be meek with all who we encounter. We wanna see your display! Show us where you displayed by using #HOMWFJames317 on Instagram!!
Remember sisters, no matter what, You are Loved!
