Mosaic (Oct 10)

It’s Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. Farmers are back in the fields after last week’s rain brought the harvest to a pause. Asian beetles are finding their way in through the cracks of my front door, and we’re hunting for mittens and toques on these crisp 1°C mornings.

A month after our mom’s passing, we enter this season of thanksgiving. We’re making pies and stuffing. Dad’s doing the ribs. Our hearts are still laced with sorrow, yet gratitude remains—for the time we’re still given, the moments we’ll continue to have as a family, for those who’ve surrounded us with prayer and encouragement, and for a Saviour who never changes. He graciously gives us new life in Him, reminding us that the end of this life is not the completion of our story.

As I’ve been reading through the book of James this week, his words remind me that perseverance and gratitude often walk hand in hand. The love and care received from others during difficulties, how God's goodness is unchanging, how pain and sorrow

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”— James 1:12

Remain steadfast under trial.

This is all-encompassing. It means continuing to lean into Christ through temptation and trial, sin and suffering. Blessed are those who remain in Him—who bear up under difficulties and endure. Not because life has been easy, or because they’ve been untouched by hurt, fear, or sorrow, but because they keep their eyes on Christ—the One who ran the race before us and endured. He shows us the way of sacrifice and surrender, even in the most desperate and distressing moments.

We get the crown after we’ve won.

Maybe we picture a princess costume with its plastic crown signaling royalty. But James’s readers wouldn’t have thought of kings and queens—they would have pictured the laurel wreath placed on the victor of a competition. This wasn’t a participation medal for simply showing up. The victor may have slogged through mud, taken hits, or been bruised in combat, but only the one who finished well received the crown.

That’s a strong challenge for our Christian walk. It’s easy to drift into apathy or indifference. Maybe we’ve grown up in the church, reached midlife, and started to feel weary. Slowly, we wind down—stop paying attention to our sinful patterns, grow comfortable with our wealth, or complacent with our church attendance and service.

But remember, it's the winner who takes the crown.

Persevering to the end of our race doesn't mean we can give up. We don’t retire from discipleship. That’s just not a thing. James keeps opening our eyes—and by God’s grace, our hearts too—so we continue walking with Him, learning what it means to be doers of the Word for all our days.

The reward is yet to come.

The crown of life awaits those who love Him. He’s equipped us for good works, born out of love and obedience to His Word,“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). This promise doesn’t drive us to anxiety or striving, but to comfort and confidence in God’s work within us. He is renewing us daily to be more like Christ, and He will complete the work He began.

As you consider the trials and difficulties you're facing, where do you find glimpses of gratitude?

On The Blog

Following Jesus' Call to Watchfulness

Hanging out at the beach isn’t always as relaxing as it sounds. As a former lifeguard, I’ve seen how quickly things can change when our attention drifts.

Jesus used the same kind of imagery in the garden of Gethsemane,

calling His disciples to “watch and pray.”

What does it mean for us to stay spiritually alert in prayer—even when we feel weary or distracted?

In Articles

Sweetening Up Sundays | Amy Gannett

This is a short, sweet encouragement for families to rehearse the joy of Sunday mornings with special tasty delights—despite the chaos around us as we're all getting ready!! And may we take up her refrain, "Sundays are the best day of the week! We get to worship with God's people. What a joy it is to go to church today!"

God is Our Guide on Paths We Did Not Choose | Glenna Marshall

How we expect our life to unfold doesn't often match with our own imagined futures. For Glenna, it's meant navigating chronic illness, and she shares how God provides for us, even when—especially when— the journey isn't what we thought it would be.

When You Doubt You Make a Difference | Karen Abeyta (Hosanna Revival)

Our acts of service don’t always land the way we hope. It’s easy to feel discouraged or question whether our efforts were really worth it—especially when we don’t see visible fruit. Karen shares her experience serving at a day camp, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the lessons she learned and how we can keep our eyes on Jesus as we take our next steps of faith.

A Spirituality of Forgiveness | Jeff Medders

"The ultimate confidence of a Christian's forgiveness from God isn't found in a prayer. It isn't realized in a genuine emotional experience or the date of our conversion scribbled in the front of a bible. The Holy Spirit wants us to remember Jesus, his name, who he is and what he did for us as our assurance."

A Woman's Strength Can Grow | Andrea Hoglund (Desiring God)

"But what I want most is not always what I need most. I may want different circumstances when what I need is strength for the circumstances I’ve been given." I read that and thought—that’s me! It’s only October, and like Andrea, I find myself longing for a vacation, a good cry, and a nap. But she reminds us to fix our gaze on Christ for what we truly need today—to rest in the confidence that He is with us, sustains us, and that His grace is sufficient.