Suffering

*Note: I started writing this a month or so ago and am just now getting around to editing and posting it.  School got a little in the way (sorry).  There is good news, though - the gospel is relevant regardless of time, place or circumstance. Read on.*

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In my journey through the books of the Bible (I'm almost done!), often I find that I'm reading a passage from the Old Testament that directly relates to the passage in the New Testament that I'm also reading.  I know they all relate together, ultimately pointing to Christ, but I guess my point is that sometimes it's so obvious that even someone as dense as me can see it.

Today is one of those days.

I happened to be in the book of Job and the book of Luke at the moment.  Job, of course, is all about suffering.  Why do bad things happen to good people?  Often, like Job, we have no idea…specifically.  Job touches on this himself, but at the end of the day we all face difficulties in life and it has everything to do with the sovereignty of God and His will for our lives.  I struggle with this idea constantly.

The redeemed part of me is completely okay with saying that God is sovereign, He does as He pleases, He knows what's best for us, and we may suffer but it's only for a little while because eventually we'll be in heaven and see the real purpose behind it all.

"Easy for you to say," my sinful, selfish side says.  The human side of me struggles with and fights against the same ideas that people have struggled with and fought against since the Fall - "I'm not that bad, why should I have to suffer, that guy over there is so much more sinful than I am!"

Back to my reading for today (and the point).  Job questions and struggles and fights with the idea of suffering, tries to maintain his integrity before God, eventually is rebuked by God and restored back to his former good health.  Contrast that with Jesus, specifically his statement in chapter 17 verse 25 of Luke:

"But first he [the Son of Man] must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation."

Must?  Jesus just said must - you mean, like, it's a requirement?  Yes, actually.  This verse…man...it just works at me.  Here I am, bee-boppin' along, agreeing with Job and empathizing with his struggles, feeling justified in my own questions and difficulties and…BAM!

Jesus puts it all on the table.  The Son of Man must suffer.  If Jesus had to suffer to fix this broken world, to bring us back into right relationship with the Father - what does that say about our own suffering?  I would submit that we must also suffer.  I would even go so far as to seriously question our lack of suffering.  I've even said as much in a previous post.

I heard it said recently that American Christians don't suffer because they aren't worthy of suffering, they aren't worthy of the persecution that Christians all over the world face every day.  How convicting!  Am I honestly willing (not just saying it because it sounds good) to suffer for Christ?  Am I willing to lay aside my personal preferences, my comforts, my stuff, my very life so that Christ can be glorified?  Am I willing even to set aside my pride and reputation, risking ridicule and mockery to share Christ with unbelievers that I encounter on a daily basis?

I have to admit, much to my shame, that I often fail in this area.  Often, I would not be considered worthy to suffer for Christ.  All too often my own comfort, pride, and reputation take priority over sharing the rich blessing of God's grace and the eternal reality of God's wrath with every person that I meet.

The take away?  Pray for me.  I want to live in a way that results in suffering for Christ.

I'll pray the same for you.