As I was grabbing my coffee this morning before work and reading over breakfast on my superfly bistro table in my office, I stumbled over something cool from Brennan Manning’s new book, The Rabbi’s Hearbeat.

“Hope knows that if great trials are avoided, great deeds remain undone and the possibility of growth into greatness of soul is aborted.”

How telling is that in the world where we live trying to not get hurt, not offend, and steer clear of pain. Hebrews and James talk quite a bit about trials and what they berth in us as we remain faithful.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of you faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.” James 1.

Man, I want that. I want to grow into greatness. I want to be complete. And it seems sometimes that I equate being complete with having the bills paid, lawn mowed, toys, posessions, prestige, and power. Easy to distract myself in those empty pursuits. But I want to be mature and complete. Not lacking in anything. That comes only one way.

It just reminds me that life is not always gonna give me what I want. It’s not always gonna be pretty. There will be bumps in the road. Sometimes even major construction. But, “the one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it”. 1 Thess 5.

He’s faithful to me. I have to choose to be faithful to Him. Then, it’s all good.

Great way to start the day.