there's a verse in my boot.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:1-4 ESV)

I was super excited to see that I was gonna do the devo for this passage. The book of James means so much to me and especially these four verses.

If you have heard my testimony you have probably heard me talk about Ian Miller. Ian was my best friend when I was in elementary school and middle school. He was athletic, could play the saxophone, and was hilarious! He was a great kid and awesome friend. On January 15, 2010, he died. While on a Boy Scouts retreat he was sledding down the hill and hit a chairlift pole. He suffered major head trauma and died in the hospital later that night. He was an only child. His death made a huge impact on my school, it was a really hard time. A few days after I heard that he died, I heard the best news I have ever heard. After he passed away, the doctors were taking his clothes and belongings to give to his parents. When they took off his boot a piece of paper fell out of it. On that piece of paper said this:"consider it pure joy my brothers when you have trials of many kinds, for the testing of your faith develops perseverance, perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." How awesome is that! At that time I didn't unite know what they meant, but I soon found out.

Because of the death of a 12-year-old boy, Christ has done incredible things. His parents started an organization that collects then gives away shoes to those who need them. With every pair of shoes is a paper with Ian's story and the Gospel. For almost five years, people all over the world have gotten shoes, heard Ian's story, and  heard of God's love. I have been able to tell his story to my friends and even to people in Ecuador! 

That's why we persevere, because God will do some awesome stuff out of horrible circumstances. When Ian first start, I doubted God, I didn't know why he had to do that. But now I know why. It was to lead people to him, so they can live with him for eternity.

If you ever want to learn more about Ian or in Ian's boots, come talk to me. I would be glad to talk.

Answer This:

1) what are some things you've had to persevere through?

2) what did God do through those trials?

3) how are you now after you went through that trial by persevering?

Spend some time journaling about this passage.

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Written by Max Davis