I apologize for not writing anything here during the last week. I admit, I've been sort of avoiding it. The passage that was up next didn't feel like it spoke to me and I wasn't sure what to write or say or ask you. Of course, I knew that God's Word can always speak to us, no matter what our circumstances may be. But I just felt a little removed from once again reading about suffering for being a Christian. Not that I didn't stop thinking about it, though. Part of me wanted to thank God for the religious freedom we experience here in the US. Part of me imagined that freedom slowly disappearing, and wondered about the strength of my faith (of course, and unfortunately, I didn't dwell long on that. Much more pleasant to just remain in my comfort and pretend that it's normal). Part of me thought of all the Christians, past and present, that have suffered simply because they loved Jesus and wouldn't deny him... even if it meant a life of suffering. Dying for Christ is the ultimate sacrifice, but living for him, and daily or hourly suffering because of him, is truly the greatest sacrifice.
Peter said "don't be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering." The fact is, Christians will suffer. We will go through trials and will be insulted because of the name of Christ.
Did any of you see Evan Almighty? The scene that still stands out in my mind is the one of Evan standing among all the government officials and in front of TV cameras, looking like a fool with his clothes and crazy hair and having to stand up for what he absolutely knew was true, knowing the mocking and humiliation he would face. NO ONE believed him. He was a fool in their eyes, and they had no compassion for him. Did you see the humility it took for him to take all of that? I think the actor portrayed it perfectly, because he wasn't proud and defiant. He humbly held to the truth and took the emotional berating with no defense of his own character.
Maybe I'm starting to see how this whole book fits together. Peter talks about suffering and trials in length at least three times. He tells us to "prepare our minds for action" and "arm ourselves with this attitude [of Christ]" because living for God is a battle and includes trials. He talks about being humble and being submissive because this is the best attitude to have when going through difficulties. And he lists so many reasons, purposes and beneficial outcomes of suffering (but makes it clear that he is referring to the suffering from doing good, not the suffering that results from our sin or misbehavior). But to top it all off, he reminds us that "Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in his footsteps." When all the words and theology of suffering rings hollow in the midst of pain, we have someone who can say "I know what you are going through. Put your feet in my footsteps and I will lead you through this."
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Christian Suffering
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2 comments:
The part where we shouldn't defend ourselves, even when we know that what we are doing is right, is the part that I constantly have to remind myself. Even in the little things, I want to defend myself. I was recently reading in Nehemiah about how there were false rumors about Nehemiah to get him to stop re-building the wall around Jerusalem. However, he was not easily intimidated and the truth became evident and the walls were finished.
I love what you guys had to say about these verses. I read the verses over and over and didn't get much more from it except for the last verse. This verse stood out to me for one reason in particular. I think that it is saying that although you may have times of great difficulty and you may not understand why things are happening to you, you must still trust God to save your soul. This has been extremely difficult for me. I question why things have to happen a lot in my life. It is just good to hear this verse. I know I should trust God because everything happens in accordance to His will.
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