Skip to main content

Bad Reputation...

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing
with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18) 

          Suffering has a bad reputation at the moment. Maybe it always has. There are few who want to suffer - not really suffer. I'm no different so I'm not pointing fingers. Suffering stinks. Suffering just because you exist or because you aren't part of the "in" or "PC" crowd is really the pits. Part of the reason for the current bad reputation, I think, is that people don't have good examples for how to suffer. The good examples are out there, but people don't know about them. Instead, our minds are filled with the heroics of those who rise up against suffering and give those who inflicted the suffering a super-sized taste of their own medicine. Karma delivered the victim is the name of the game today, even among some Christians.
         We don't learn from history. Christians suffered under Roman rule for several centuries, quietly, persistently arguing for justice. They suffered so well that the Romans lost their joy in seeing them suffer. Roman bloodlust became shameful. The gladiatorial games ended. The practice of crucifixion ended. There are examples throughout history. Within the past 100 years, the early Civil Rights Movement sought justice for all Americans through civil disobedience and peaceful demonstrations, and brought about huge change for good without raising a fist. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught his followers that the suffering they endured would bring about the glory of a day in which men would be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. We now celebrate a national holiday in his honor even though his dream is not yet fulfilled.
          No, it is not good to suffer, but suffering can do good. It can do more good than not suffering ever did. When it does, the suffering isn't worth comparing with the glory of the good that comes from it, by it, through it, or because of it. That good may not be seen in the lifetime of the one who suffers but though we may only see it through a glass darkly, it is worth the suffering.
         
 
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Birthday of Rene Theophile Laennec (Stethoscope)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Right Road

          Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:7-12)                  For years before GPSes existed, I told people I wanted something in my car that would tell me, “Turn left in half a mile…turn left in a quarter mile…turn left in 500 feet… turn left in 100 feet…turn left now …You missed the turn, Dummy!” The problem isn’t necessarily that I get lost so much as I’m afraid I’ll get lost. I don’t want to have to spend my whole trip stressing over the next turn. I have the same problem with my spiritual journey.   
Post a Comment
Read more

Died as a Ransom

                 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. (Hebrews 9:15)                  This is something I’d really rather not think about but here it is and it’s important. I was reading in Bold Love about seeking revenge.  The author wrote of seeking justice when a supposed Christian does something sinful, harmful, and/or horrific, like sexually abusing a daughter.  And the thought that came to mind was of God asking if Jesus’ death was sufficient payment to me for the sin committed against me.                I have no specific longing for revenge, vengeance, or justice. I’m sure there are some lurking somewhere in my heart, but this wasn’t a response to one. It was more a question of principle. Jesus’ death was sufficient payment for to God for our sins.  That’s the standard Sunday Schoo
1 comment
Read more

Out of the Depths

  Out of the depths I have cried to You, Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the sound of my pleadings.   If You, Lord, were to keep account of guilty deeds, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, so that You may be revered. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and I wait for His word. My soul waits in hope for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; Yes, more than the watchmen for the morning. Israel, wait for the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his guilty deeds . (Psalm 130)             I like Mr. Peterson’s interpretation of the first line. “The bottom has fallen out of my life!” Of course, the problem for some of us is the fact that we’re drama queens, and/or we’re weak. Any time anything happens that disturbs our sense of mastery and control, the bottom has fallen out of our lives. If the past couple of days have taught me anything, they’ve t
1 comment
Read more