My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.
(James 1:2-4 CEV)
I like how in one of the federal election advertisements, a candidate was once described not as incompetent, but as ‘just not ready.’ The candidate was just not ready to assume a position in parliament, despite the fact that his own father was a member of parliament. Maybe someday, just not today.
In the Christian life, it’s very much the same way. God doesn’t promote us to bigger positions in ministry just because our parents were good ministers. He takes time to prepare us, as He prepared them, in order that we might be ready for the task ahead. I believe that God uses the hard times to prepare us for greatness. Until we’re ready to “endure everything,” we will not be ready to take on a bigger role that God wants to give us. This is the same point that the apostle James makes in his letter. He tells his readers, “My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything” (James 1:2-4). If God isn’t promoting you to something bigger right now it’s not because He doesn’t think you’re the right person for the job, but it just might be that you’re not ready right now.
There’s no such thing as a right person, but right time.
Rising with the Son 