In our community at Grace Chapel we are currently studying through the Revelation of John. It's a fascinating letter that challenges believers to remain faithful and true to the gospel until Jesus returns. A significant piece of the message is that the follower of Jesus will experience suffering. Life will not be all roses and puppies.I have experienced suffering only as a child. My parents divorced when I was nine and that was painful. My grandmother, Mimi, died suddenly in a car accident the summer after my freshman year in college.
Those things were hard.
Now as an adult, who is a parent, and a pastor, I am learning that the admonitions about suffering in the Scriptures are real. This week God has seen fit to enroll Amy and I into Suffering 099.
It's a remedial course. No credit given.
The frustration that comes from the deep seated selfishness that is present within me is ugly. Thankfully we are only dealing with pneumonia. It will pass.
Here's to the hope of suffering well in the small so that when the big comes along we are ready to honor King Jesus in the midst of it.
Thanks for re-posting this today. This has been a similar week for me. Glorious steps of progress on our church plant recently and continued faithfulness on my part to lead and finish the Circle Maker series and start leading a group this week from Daniel was met with an out of the blue flat tire, some other miscellaneous setbacks and now new symptoms of vision problems from my diabetes. I have been too selfish and not taking care of myself enough and I'm afraid of what might happen with my vision. That being said, I know where my strength comes from. It's just easier to talk about it in theory!
ReplyDeleteJeff, I am glad that this hit home for you too. You're so right abou it being easier to talk in theory about trusting God. But, in these situations some small (car problems) some bigger (your eye problems) we are forced to put our money where our mouths are. As a friend of mine says, "Acta non Verba" (Actions not Words).
ReplyDelete