Last night I had the opportunity to attend a benefit dinner for a human rights agency by the name of International Justice Mission. This agency is a group of lawyers and social workers that fight to secure justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression all over the world. It was an incredible night of listening to stories of many people who were trapped in a world of hopeless bondage, but by the generous contributions of others, they had been brought into a new life of freedom and redemption. The one story that impacted me the most though wasn't one of the awesome rescues that they are preforming overseas, but one about a nine year old boy here in America. The boy had saved up $90 to buy a new bike, but upon hearing of the work of IJM he decided to give his money to them so that they could free the slaves he had heard about. In a note he sent along with the money, he said "I can always get another bike later."

When I heard that story, I couldn't help but think about what I had read in the first chapter of James earlier that morning.

⁹"The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. ¹⁰But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.

The boy understood something that I so often forget. Our lives are like wildflowers that are here today and tomorrow are withered and dead. I was reminded again of importance to live a life of humility and to be full of selflessness when it comes to the countless gifts we are given from the Father of Lights (James 1:17).

Another thing that I was reminded of is how what I read in the morning impacted the way that I perceived things during the day. My time spent reading the Bible was not time spent in vain.

Be encouraged as you read this week and be looking for ways of how God's word speaks directly into the things of your day to day lives.

Dave Hostetler