It seems that our eVotions for this week are all about storms and troubles. Paul of all people experienced the storms of life in his pursuit of faith.  He was thrown in prison multiple times, at least 3 shipwrecks, beaten and whipped multiple times, and he went without basic necessities for long periods of time.  

God was always working, always caring. Paul understood his trials and tribulations as his service to Christ. All the early apostles had an understanding of hardships as the perfecting of their faith. James writes, “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”

It is only by faith and with a concrete commitment to do the work of God that we can even come close to thinking of our hardships as part of service to Christ. We have been blessed to live in a culture that encourages spiritual growth and mission. What if God were calling you to someplace or service that might affect your security? Will you go, will you do it?