Last week, smoke filled our church building.
Firefighters entered halls where we’ve worshiped and fellowshipped. Thank God for their excellent and decisive action that put out the fire!
I am deeply thankful no one was hurt.
I’m also sad to see our investment in the building encounter this twist in the story.
We’ve invested more than $750,000 in reclaiming and refurbishing our building over the last several years. Sweat equity and sacrificial giving for a new parking lot, new doors, new windows, new chairs, new carpet, new rooms… the list goes on.
As I write this, all we can do is wait on inspectors, assessments, and timelines beyond our control.
I’m sure many in our congregation are facing discouragement.
If this disappointment (or any other) has your head hanging low, James 1:9–11 is ready to meet you!
James 1:9 tells us,
“Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.”
Before we unpack this, let me tell you how the richest man in history heard about our renovation.
When we first launched our fundraiser we made a video for the renovation. Through a few twists and turns, Elon Musk–the world’s richest man–watched our video with one of our members in a meeting.
Mind-blowing. A man who could lose 10x the cost of our project and NOT notice now knew about our need.
I’ll admit it: I felt a flash of hope. Maybe something big was about to happen. Maybe this was God opening a door.
So far, nothing has come of it.
Except I was rebuked in line with the rest of James’ thought,
But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
James brings us one of Scripture’s great reversals.
The believer scraping by? Take pride in your high position.
The rich person? Take pride in your humiliation. Your wealth will wither like wildflowers under the scorching sun.
What does it profit a church to gain the attention of a billionaire whose wealth will fade like a wildflower?
We already have access to the eternal God.
The humblest believer among us possesses something Musk’s fortune cannot purchase.
Buildings can be damaged. Investments can go up in smoke–literally.
But the position we’ve received in Christ? Untouchable.
Whatever challenge you’re walking through–including this one we’re walking through together–view it through eternity’s lens.
Trials feel enormous today. Often so heavy they bow you down low.
From that low position, remember: you are very well connected.
You know the One who already owns Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and Greenland.
He is doing a work in us that will outlast everything we can touch, count, or construct.
Our building is not the measure of eternal assets.
Christ is.
Take pride in Him.