20240119

time’s revelation

James 1:9-11 (JDV)

James 1:9 Let the brother of humble circumstances be grateful for his exaltation,
James 1:10 but let the rich be grateful for his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field.
James 1:11 For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities.

time’s revelation

We all live in an illusion of stability. If we could see the future, some of us who are humiliated by our present status would rejoice. Others who are riding high in the fast lane would mourn. We need to learn to live outside of that illusion.

The temporary nature of grass and wildflowers is a good image to keep in mind. That image is glorious but fleeting. That is what “now” is. “Now” is an illusion that keeps the poor in their place, and keeps the rich from realizing what the future will do to their wealth. There are forces (the sun and the wind) that are at work eroding the things we think are stable. Time is revealing a different story.