Suffering is a part of our Christian walk because there is sin in our lives. Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example to live by..and it's by his wounds that I've been healed. It's more often than not suffering that wakes us up, that gives us that slight slap in the face if you will, a love tap from God. But it's also suffering that connects us with the suffering God. So the question then becomes...am I letting his wounds heal me? And therefore change me, more and more each day, into the person he created me to be? Surrendering my heart and mind to the will he has for me?
Romans is one of my favorite books in the Bible and Paul is one of my favorite writers. He's honest but loving, he challenges but he's also encouraging. I have a lot of favorite verses, quite a few being in Romans actually, but the one that has continued to resonate in my mind this week is Romans 5:3-5. He says to the Roman church: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Here Paul is talking about peace and joy which, as of late, has felt just out of my reach. But as I read his words, I'm convicted and I cannot help but rejoice in the hope that we have in our God. I cannot imagine going through this life without it. People like Paul, David, John the Baptist...they understood that, and I'm fascinated and inspired by the lives they led.
So that said, I'm beginning to get a better grasp on the notion of connecting with our suffering God; of being of this world but not in it; of ridding me of myself because I belong to Him; that His timing is not my own--which is a good thing because my timing and idea of how things should go would screw everything up, so thank goodness for a sovereign, loving God that ever-so gently reminds me of that! :] And being in the Word and in prayer and in fellowship, I will only come to know this God more and more, developing a deep relationship with the one who loves me more than I could ever fathom. A family friend of ours put it in this way...the destination is not about a goal, but about the journey. It's almost cliche sounding, but what a true statement. How often I keep my eyes on a fixed point in the future, thinking that once I reach that mark I'll be able to check that off the list and move on to the next. When in reality, life isn't a checklist and the only thing my eyes should be fixed on is eternity. The walk I go through in life is continual venture with the God I serve, taking in each present moment he gives me. In it there will be joy, peace, love, challenges, suffering, hope, relationship...you can name the rest...but all nonetheless making up my story. A story I need to be an active part of, not a bystander watching it all unfold.
It's been a tough couple days, but I can't help but be overwhelmed with hope. God's timing is not my own (thank goodness), he knows the plans he has for me, and he works all things for the good of those who love him.
....♥ C
