Well Worn

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. – James 1:22-25

Some may beg to differ, but there is nothing more comfortable to wear than a well worn pair of jeans. The jeans that you’ve worn so much it has stretched in all of the right places, and has faded just right in several different shades of blue and beige with the odd knick, tear and fray. Some love this feeling and aesthetic so much that they swear never to wash their jeans to “preserve” that patina and develop that genuine worn-in vintage look. Strangely, worn-in jeans have been both in and out of fashion. When they are in fashion, people pay for this type of look and they even pay a hefty penny! There is almost a dishonest quality about such products and the attitude in which they portray. A genuine pair of worn in jeans are quite personal. They are worn-in from the kind of work we do, the places we’ve been, and what we usually carry in our pockets daily. But I digress, some people have an affinity for things that are genuinely worn, used and have some kind of history to them.

In a similar way, there is a great deal of difference that is evident in those who have worn the Word of God and have persevered many years with it. There is a maturity and beautiful “patina” that is both scratched up, rusted a little, but at the same time attractive in the uniqueness of that person’s character, and a sense of comfort and peace.

In my early days as a Christian, I recall going to bible study at my pastor’s house. He was an old caucasian man named Rev. Grant who was an absolutely wonderful, gentle and loving person. He would often invite us over to his tiny single bedroom apartment where there were photos and trinkets from all sorts of events in his life. From being in the military to his honeymoon with his wife who had long passed away. There was a sense of genuine value to what seemed to be a collection of souvenirs that reminded him and told others about how the Lord had lead him in his life. He would order us pizza and we would sit (all 10 of us) inside his pint-sized living room while he shared the Word of God with us. We would look at him with our beady eyes and stout ears of wonder that were so curious to hear his teachings and stories. He told all sorts of testimonies of going into mission fields (both military and church related), and a stockpile of experiences serving as a soldier, pastor, a father and husband.

To read the word of God and to live it out daily is a task that requires much perseverance and a willingness to be challenged daily. In that perseverance, there is hardship, but meanwhile is a beautiful contribution to the formation of ones character. If we want to experience the fullness of what the Lord has in store within his promises, we need to take time to live being obedient to his commands. The Word of God is something that begins to work in our lives when we begin to act by it. Although at times difficult, it becomes beautiful marks and stains just as that pair of jeans becomes worn to give that beautiful patina. Scratched, frayed a bit, and stretched – but beautiful.

There are times that the Word of God becomes painful and difficult to live out. It calls on us to live against what seems to be normal. Like some who buy pre-ripped and worn jeans, we often want the immediate results – but that always, a hundred and fifty percent of the time is unauthentic and carries absolutely no history or depth to the wear marks. The Word of God was meant to be our guide to a journey that brings beautiful and valuable experiences and outcomes that are eternal and timeless. A journey that we can experience and live out each day to discover the treasures and the wonders of God’s grace.

Today, I hope that you will walk that journey with the Lord, and may you experience the beauty of his presence and the awesome plans for you. In following his Word, you may one day be able to bless those around you with the stories of that great journey.