Polka Dot Days

I wanted to thank you, for faithfully stopping by… perchance, to spend a moment together over coffee or a cuppa… I apologize for not posting of late. I don’t know about you, but I have really missed our time together.
After my last post on 1 Peter 3-5, some 9 days ago (has it really been that long), I have discovered these chapters would be great to memorize so that they would be at the ready in my spiritual tool bag.
Yes, you could say that I am counting it all joy to suffer various, “Polka-dotted” trials (James 1:2). Polka-dotted Trials? Beth Moore in her study, Breaking Free coined that descriptor and it stuck. Trials of all sorts; all sizes; shapes and colors; an analogy built from the Greek word “poikilos” taken from this verse. Poikilos means “various, diverse, manifold” and where we derive the word “polka dot”. Yes, many trials, temptations, and sufferings, in all ways; all seasons; and all the live long day.

This is our lot, trials, as it were, by the dump truck load…. But we must, I must, also be mindful of the keynote to this verse i.e. with polka dots comes joy. Joy in suffering. The life of a Follower is one of humility in that we must relearn everything that we believed to be true. Our polka dots are to be a matter of exceeding joy, great joy, even the greatest of joy. Not that the afflictions are joyous in and of themselves, but they constitute joy in their circumstances, effects, and consequences; for as we are tried, exercised, and improved, the grace of God i.e. the peaceable fruit of righteousness will be manifest in our lives, for the purpose of His Glory. In Matthew 5:10, Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount,

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”

Those who are poor in spirit are emptied of self; emptied of pride; beggars in need of all, from Christ. The presence of Christ, being so close, brings joy. The kingdom of heaven is near and ours because we have the Master. We can’t manage polka dots on our own. We must empty ourselves in humility and cling to Christ. When He comes, joy comes, even the greatest of joy. The Jews have a saying,

“Whoever rejoices in afflictions that come upon him, brings salvation to the world.”

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy to you for a polka-dotted day.