Read: James 1:4

James says hardship provides the opportunity to practice joy and perseverance. And perseverance is needed because God is using it to cultivate something in our lives, which can only be completed if we stick it out. The goal is a sort of spiritual perfection - "mature, complete, lacking nothing."

It's a little hard to imagine lacking nothing. Every commercial on TV is designed to convince us that we lack something which they supply - for a price. But even the wealthiest among us discover we have lacks which cannot be filled with things. Truth be told, we have a great void of need inside the size of Grand Canyon.

James says God wants to "complete" us so we would "lack nothing". God only knows how he can do that. What he asks, is that we submit to the process and stick it out. It will take a long time, perhaps a life time. And we cooperate by not shortcutting the process by ducking out prematurely.

Write
Think about your faith story: how has God been cultivating spiritual depth in your life? How well are you advancing towards spiritual maturity?

What are some circumstance in your life presently that God is using to mature you? In what areas you seek maturity?

Who do you know is an example of spiritual maturity? How is this maturity expressed?

Who do you know is stuck in immaturity? How is the immaturity expressed?

Pray
What is God saying to you today?

Talk to God about how it feels to be on your journey towards maturity. What gains do you observe? How has progress been set back?

Talk to God about the areas where you seek maturity. How is immaturing interferring with your relationships with others? Ask God to show you how to persevere in the circumstances that are cultivating maturity.

Pray for your mature friend, and thank them for the inspiration they are to you. Pray for your friend who is stuck. Ask God how you can support them in getting back on their journey.

Pray for a fresh experience of God's love, grace and mercy as you persevere and submit to God's maturing process for you, and as you grow in depth of character.