There are a lot of passages throughout God’s inspired Word that challenge me. On nearly a daily basis, I find some verse or some chapter that completely steps on my toes and makes me long to be a better servant to my Almighty God. Recently, I found one – a big one – and it’s changing my life.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)

I am a blogger. Sometimes it seems weird to actually say those words out loud (or type them), but that’s what I am. I spend a large portion of my time studying God’s word and relaying those Spirit-given words to all of you (or both of you as the case may be). I am generally unfiltered in thought, not bending to cultural norms or what is popular within church climate. And there are so, so many words that pour forth from these fingertips on a weekly basis.

But I have to be careful. I have to be careful that my words aren’t my words; that my posts aren’t Emily-ideas or Emily-traditions. I don’t ever want to impose something on someone that God doesn’t impose on them. Who am I to do such a thing!? And that’s where my 3:17 journey comes in: learning the wisdom that is from above, and pointing others to that wisdom. Not my wisdom – there isn’t such a thing – but to God’s wisdom. His infinite, beautiful wisdom that is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy.

What a list though, right? And that’s why this is my journey. I am by no means a pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield all the time, fully merciful and un-hypocritical person. I am, instead, a sinner. A forgiven sinner trying her best to stay in the light (1 John 1:6-7) and hide all of God’s truths in her heart (Psalm 119:11).

So if you’re on that journey too, please join me. I will be here, at least three days a week, hammering out God’s wisdom for my life and doing my best to apply it every single day. You can subscribe to get these devotional thoughts in your email inbox (see sidebar) or just check back whenever you get the chance. I’ll be here, because a lot of work needs to be done on me.