Yes...you will suffer....

Suffering....yes.....it will happen.

Over the years, there has been a concerted effort to turn the Gospel into this feel good, bumper sticker, music video, type of religion. We see it over and over. I remember growing up and catching the tv evangelical types that would promise health and wealth if you just called in with your donation. Of course, they got rich, and you....well, got nothing.

We see the same thing today. A promise of earthly prosperity, which there is no evidence of being promised in Scripture. In fact, if you read through Scripture, envision what it was like for the first century Christians. Imagine what it was like for Paul. In Timothy 2 4:18, Paul says “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever.” Paul doesn’t say he will be rescued from his earthly plight. It is strongly suspect that Paul was writing this as he was awaiting execution, so he knew his time was short.

So does that mean we can expect misery on earth? Can we never expect Jesus to rescue us from our current circumstance? There is certainly evidence of rescue, if you look at Jesus raising the dead, healing people, and providing hope for that were deeply suffering, we know it did happen. But why for them, and not for Paul?

When we become Christians, our lives become His. They are no longer our own. We are promised “His heavenly kingdom”, which is beyond what we can possibly fathom, but we do know there is no more suffering there. When we start to look at our lives as a testimony to Him, to reflect His love for His children, we start to see our lives differently. We start to see them in the light of His glory. They are now meant to show others what hope looks like. It is not riches, power, or even health, but it is staying committed to Christ during the lack of those things that the world holds dear.

When Jesus performed miracles, it was done to reflect His power that was given to Him by the Father. When the Apostles performed miracles, it was the same, it was to prove Who they represented. It was not for their glory. it was for His. There are times when our sufferings sole purpose it to be a light for somebody that desparately needs to see Jesus.

I remember when I lost my sister to cancer, it hurt. She was a believer though. She is in His rest. I tell her story to others, which connects me to them. It allows others to see, that even in pain, there is Hope.

When you are in the middle of the storm, and the waves are crashing all around you. Your boat is being rocked back and forth, remember the story of Jesus on the boat. When it is time, He will rebuke those winds, He will calm the storm, He will bring Peace. Until that time though, remember He is on the boat with you.

I know that many are going through hard times right now. You are not alone. You are loved. You are cherished. You are wanted. You are my brother. You are my sister. Rob, Lucky, Tim, Joe, Dan, Russ, and myself, we are here to pray for you, talk with you, share grief with you, share your pain. And even beyond us, your brothers and sisters are there for you too. I’ve found that sharing my plight does so much good for my soul, don’t be afraid to reach out. Jesus reached His hand down to Peter as He sank, let Him reach out to you through your church family.

Peace be with you.