An Encouraging (?) Word

"Be so brave, and so longsuffering in hope, that when inward comfort is withdrawn, you may prepare your heart to suffer even greater things." ~ Thomas a Kempis

Wow. Thank you for that encouraging word, Mr. Kempis :) Actually, that's a profound statement and full of truth. It is a general fact that we experience little, if any, growth during times of ease. Growth comes from dark and heavy times, when we are tossed about by life's storms.

What do people imagine when they think about following Jesus? Does anyone stop to consider that following Jesus involves suffering? That's a Scriptural promise, in fact. Paul's heartcry was not, "I want to know Christ and the fellowship of sharing in His happiness." Not at all. Sometimes I get more than a little frustrated with America's version of Christianity. God's eternal plan of redemption through the shed blood of Christ has been merchandised in so many pretty little ways and we like it that way. It's disgusting. Meanwhile, Christians on the other side of the world are starving while they tend their bruises in prison. These are the heroes on whom rests the Spirit and glory of God. Persecution, btw, does not include somebody prying the fish symbol of the trunk of your car.

Well, I feel as if I have been ranting. This all began with a preoccupation of my heart today (and in recent weeks) with suffering and with hardship. What does it mean to know Christ, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings? In part, I think it must mean treading in His footsteps through the shadowlands with only His promises for comfort. That's when we learn to truly trust Him, and that no earthly arm is strong enough to save.

I'll finish with a quote from my office wall with, unfortunately, no one to credit for it:

"So if you're hoping to get control of all your problems - Christianity is not for you. If you are looking for success, happiness, or freedom from pain - Christianity is not for you. If you are looking to make yourself feel better, appease your flesh, and have fun and be care-free, RUN, RUN, RUN from Biblical Christianity - run and catch an episode of Joel Osteen or Oprah or someone like that because that's what you are looking for -- not Biblical Christianity."