Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 1:22

Dear HBIC Family,

I’m thinking today about proverbs. These truths of life and earned wisdom from the generations prior are passed down to us in small, digestible nuggets. Every person knows, or maybe even lives by, at least one. Every family has them. Many cultures teach them – and in a fascinating twist, these truths have similar versions across continents and from peoples who may never meet and converse with each other. 

What I love about these proverbs is that they gift us wisdom. They often expand our thinking and understanding. They bless us with perspective. Sometimes, they even center us again as we revisit and remember a truth, which in turn helps and motivates us to move forward. 

With that said, I wonder… What are the proverbs that you hold on to? What were the proverbs that your family or culture taught and passed down? Here are a few of mine: 

The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

One tree cannot make a forest.

Ninety-nine days for rogue, one day for master.

Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.

If the townspeople happy, look for the Chief.

I’m thinking of proverbs today because I believe the book of James is wisdom literature. James writes not only to gift us a list of dos and don’ts, but also to teach that our faith is to impact all of life by showing up in our beliefs and practices. James writes to help articulate what a follower of Christ looks like, acts like, and lives like. One of the ways he does this is by gifting us proverbs sprinkled throughout his epistle (letter). 

This week, we will conclude the first chapter of James. This passage, James 1:19-27, is a text that most clearly articulates the heart of James’ letter and messages. As you prepare for this week’s services, I would like to invite you to read and meditate on James and Jesus’ teaching in both Matthew 5:38-42 and James 1:19-27. As you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:

What are some family proverbs or truths you still live by?

How do you hear from God?

How do you put into practice what you hear from God?

What does it mean to have your identity rooted in Christ?

What does true religion look like to you?

The call from James, taken from Jesus, is that we are to learn and know our faith, hold it dearly in our hearts, and then go out and live it in our everyday scenes. Our inability to do this leaves our lights under a bushel, our hands tied behind our backs, and our works resigned to only our wills. Sisters and brothers, may we be listeners and doers of the word, believers and followers of Jesus, and together members of Christ’s body united by the Holy Spirit!

God bless you all.

Love in Christ,

Pastor Hank