When I was 17 ( yes it was a lot of years ago) I received an award after two weeks of paddling in Northern Saskatchewan. "Canoeman of the year" I didn't expect it. At all. My paddling partner was the one who deserved it. He was fun to be around, always carrying somebody else's gear as well as his own. Looking for the heaviest loads. When two kids got in a fight on a portage, he stepped in the middle and we took one into our canoe even though he wouldn't paddle.
When James talks about this "crown of life" he is talking about something we can be proud of in this life. When I realized that as good as my partner had been, I had been better, I took more pride in that award than a lot of others that I have had.
It fascinates me that this reward is clearly after a passage that talks about being humble and the uselessness of being rich.
What value have trials had in your life? Have you let Satan destroy you with those trials? Or allowed God to refine you? How have you changed?
So when I look back on trials, I have to look at them in the light (I think) of choices that I make.
Surely I did the right thing, helping a widow with her computer problems, an elderly man move shortly after he was diagonosed with Parkinsons, meeting regularly with a manic depressive to help him monitor his moods? So when I can hardly meet my monthly obligations where is God? How can I boast of this life when I have to deal with creditors calling? How do I explain to them that it is more important to see young people get a focus on life and living than it is to earn the money to pay for their corporate jet?
Yet people who know me comment on the serenity and joy that they see in me, a joy that wasn't there when I worked three jobs, (worked so hard I lost my family), had physical aches and pains that sent me to the doctor and chiropracter on a regular basis?
"sola fide" says Luther.
Okay.