My Mom, who works in the College of Business at Dallas Baptist University, forwarded the below devotional to me. It was written about Conner by a professor at DBU, named Dr. Jim Underwood, who Tom and I both had as college students when we took Marketing and Management classes from him 20 years ago.
Dr. Underwood sends out a global prayer request letter each week. This week, he chose to write the devotional about Conner, after praying for him and being inspired by seeing his picture posted on my moms office door at DBU. I too am touched by the continual joy that Conner has displayed in the midst of this storm. I also know that God has a purpose and that He will be glorified.
One of the most difficult things to do in times of difficulty is to find joy in our circumstances. And yet James, in today's text, tells us that times of difficulty not only produce endurance, but they ultimately change us into complete Christians who are spiritually mature.
I must admit, I am not real good at this. A broken collar bone has convinced me that I'm better at hurting than I am about overcoming. And yet, God tells me to embrace the pain of a broken bone, or the pain of fear or loss...or any of a million other things. God says that Joy in Christ does not mean that we will not have difficulties. He does say that as we endure the pain of difficulties, in Christ we find joy, and ultimately we become more like citizens of heaven living in this temporary space called the cosmos. In some ways, God promises to begin the process of living in His kingdom, to experience the joy of His presence...but for those who suffer, they don't have to wait for eternity.
Dr. Underwood sends out a global prayer request letter each week. This week, he chose to write the devotional about Conner, after praying for him and being inspired by seeing his picture posted on my moms office door at DBU. I too am touched by the continual joy that Conner has displayed in the midst of this storm. I also know that God has a purpose and that He will be glorified.
I hope you are all blessed as I was by the below devotional by Dr. Underwood:
Joy, Difficulties, and Joy
James 1:2-4
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
And let endurance have it's perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
On our weekly prayer list a few weeks ago, we asked for prayer for a little boy named Conner. Last week I got to see a picture of Conner that was taken at one of his therapy sessions. What I saw was a little boy, a gigantic smile, and a joy that seemed to radiate from his being.
Joy, Difficulties, and Joy
James 1:2-4
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
And let endurance have it's perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
On our weekly prayer list a few weeks ago, we asked for prayer for a little boy named Conner. Last week I got to see a picture of Conner that was taken at one of his therapy sessions. What I saw was a little boy, a gigantic smile, and a joy that seemed to radiate from his being.
Conner has dealt with a severe allergic condition since his birth. Yet, as I looked at his face on that picture, I realized that in spite of his circumstances, Conner was a little boy who had a great deal of joy.
One of the most difficult things to do in times of difficulty is to find joy in our circumstances. And yet James, in today's text, tells us that times of difficulty not only produce endurance, but they ultimately change us into complete Christians who are spiritually mature.
I must admit, I am not real good at this. A broken collar bone has convinced me that I'm better at hurting than I am about overcoming. And yet, God tells me to embrace the pain of a broken bone, or the pain of fear or loss...or any of a million other things. God says that Joy in Christ does not mean that we will not have difficulties. He does say that as we endure the pain of difficulties, in Christ we find joy, and ultimately we become more like citizens of heaven living in this temporary space called the cosmos. In some ways, God promises to begin the process of living in His kingdom, to experience the joy of His presence...but for those who suffer, they don't have to wait for eternity.
