Roots and Blossoms

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich ought to take pride in his low position, for he 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 man will fade away even as he goes about his business. -James 1:9-11

Here lies this paragraph, sandwiched between two others that address withstanding trials and hardships.

Why? What about humble circumstances and wealth serves as a connection between trials and suffering?

Perhaps "humble circumstances" refer not just to poverty (as contrasted with the rich man in the next sentence), but to trials of all kinds. The one who is rich, however, is wealthy not only in money but also in lack of trouble. His life is easy. He does not have trials and discomforts because he can use his wealth to avoid such things.

But this is the man who will not withstand the trial that finally catches up with him, the trial he cannot buy himself out of. He can't take the heat, just as the wild flower withers in the scorching sun. This man has no roots, no depth to his soul that comes by trial. He looks good above the soil, but underneath he has no substance, nothing to keep him rooted. The moment he feels the pressure, he collapses under it.

Not so the one who lives in and through trials of many kinds. Instead of finding a way out and around, this brother perseveres. He gains maturity, completeness, wisdom. He is not lacking. There is substance to his soul, and when the heat is turned on him, he can withstand. He is prepared, equipped, and continues to only get stronger with each passing trial.

(Keyword: passing. No trial is forever.)

In the end, this brother is victorious. He receives the crown of life God Himself has promised to give.

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I recently embarked on my own personal and non-guided (disorganized?) study of the book of James. It's my favorite book of the Bible, and I need to be going a little deeper into Scripture than just reading for the sake of reading. I am by no means a Bible scholar; I am simply a seeker of the Word who journals thoughts and ideas as I study, question, and ponder. Are these the same thoughts and ideas James intended as he penned the words onto parchment? Perhaps not. But I hope them to be thoughts and ideas of truth nonetheless.