Acts: The Word Planted
Welcome to another edition of “Acts”, stories of the Holy Spirit’s exploits in today’s world. Sometimes the Holy Spirit makes himself evident with tongues of fire. Other times, he passes by in a barely audible whisper. Today’s story is more like the latter.
Last July, during the incredible youth mission trip called “Pit Stop,” we experienced many instances of God working mightily and conspicuously. In the background, though, he was stirring the hearts of young people to arise early each morning to simply read the Bible. One such morning, I sat down with a few youth as they quietly read a passage together. After a few minutes of silence, they made some comments to one another about the passage and then went about their day. No big deal. Except, I couldn’t stop thinking about this Bible-reading time. What if I tried this at home with my family?
I have a wife and four children, all at various stages in their faith journeys. The Evans home has always been God-centered, and we sit together at the dinner table regularly. However, these days, with three teenagers and one more on the cusp, it’s difficult to find anything we can do together besides eating a meal. Perhaps, though, we could all be quiet in front of our Bibles for just a few minutes. To my surprise and relief, everyone thought a silent study of James chapter 1 was a good idea.
The first time went smoothly. Nobody complained, and the discussion was edifying. My youngest, Joseph, could barely read, but he was able to articulate what it meant to “believe and not doubt”. But life got busy, and months went by without another Bible time together.
Fast forward to family vacation in the Olympic peninsula this month. Hundreds of miles from the usual distractions, I suggested we try another family Bible study. Again, everyone was amenable, and we continued through James 1.
The first night, Joseph asked a question about the “crown of life”, and we all shared our thoughts about that. The second night, we finished the chapter, discussing, among other things, “the word planted in you, which can save you.” Joseph spoke up and related salvation to the crown of life, and we were all surprised he made that connection.
Those three meetings, reading one chapter of James together, make up the entire history of the Evans family Bible study. I know many families do weekly, or even daily, devotionals, and I admire that. We do our best, which is pretty pathetic, honestly.
However, I’m reminded of James 1:12, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Raising four kids, especially adolescents, is a trial. It’s mild persecution and pain, but it’s a trial nonetheless. The call of Christ is to suffer long, regardless of the magnitude of the trial, and I believe the Evans family is enduring faithfully.
I’ve seen the Holy Spirit do remarkable, unimaginable things. But every day, he works quietly and faithfully through his word in the hearts of his people. He worked in the hearts of the young people at Pit Stop, and he’s doing it in my home. Because of the Holy Spirit’s quiet, consistent whispers through the word planted in us, we will wear the crown of life. What could be better than that?
