Whle preparing as part of a small group Bible study last week to be focused on the Book of James, I chose to read it in The Message, Eugene Peterson's wonderful paraphrase of Scripture, so rich and best of all surprising in its use of language and imagery.
The NRSV translates 1:19 as follows: You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to sepak, slow to anger.... Peterson's paraphrase is stunning: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger struggle along in the rear. Likewise in the second half of verse 21, where the NRSV says welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls, Peterson writes: In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.
What a wonderful invitation is issued us in those verses. No matter the version the message is clear. It is God's implanted Word in us that matters most in our spiritual formation. One is reminded of the invitation we receive every month at the Lord's Supper: "Come, not because you must but because you may.... Come, not to express an opinion but to seek his presence and pray for his Spirit."
I love the way Peterson frames the counsel of James, calling each of us to humility--to allowing God to landscape us with the Word and, over time, make a salvation-garden of your life and mine.
Entirely too much of our time in church life today is spent trying to be spiritual, even from such good motives as wanting to please God. We musy work to tend the garden with him, of course. He expects us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, as the Apostle Paul says (Philippians 2:12), but reminds us in the working that it is God at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
The greatest hindrance to true spirituality among us may lie right there. Let the Lord do the plowing and planting. Allow him to design all the the areas surrounding your garden-life, wherever he is planting. And from that garden, tended by him and his Spirit, will blossom the best flowers and the best fruit than can be imagined.
.JPG)