I just finished leading devotions this morning about the Christian life and suffering. (It went well, but I can't take any credit because I used sermon notes from a great pastor,Tim Keller, whose sermons I am constantly listening to).
The message was from Paul in 2 Corinthians. The hope of the Gospel is that out of suffering comes greater life; out of death comes resurrection. The power of the Gospel is that even though in this life we face trials, tragedies, suffering, difficulties--in light of these, not in spite of them--those around us and we ourselves experience life more fully. The hope of the Gospel is that since Jesus was raised from the dead, because the resurrection of Jesus happened, it is the very meaning of history that redemption comes out of injustice, pain, and misery--It is the very meaning of history that life comes out of death; that out of devastation comes redemption.
I have to find my hope in these promises or I wouldn't be able to get out of bed in the morning. I am surrounded by people who travel miles everyday just to fetch water; people praying for rain because their livelihoods are depending on it; parents and students struggling to find money for school fees as their new school year is beginning.
I have been feeling the suffering lately, too. It's hard to live away from my family and close friends, to be away from the conveniences that I'm used to in the US. I miss the community of my church and the safety and familiarity of my life in the US. I miss smooth roads and easy travel. I miss soft, green grass and having clean feet after a long walk. I miss free nights and weekends on my cell phone and talking consistently to my family or anyone I am thinking of. I miss the feeling of freedom to walk around after dark outside.
But through my tears I'm holding on to the hope that out of this suffering comes life for both me and those around me. "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 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..."*
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal."**
I hope that wherever you are, God is blessing you to know suffering in a way that brings you life. May your trials bring a new depth to the hope you find in Christ and the Gospel, in a real and beautiful way.
*Romans 5:2b-5a, **2 Cor. 4:16-18
Hello, friend. Thank you for your blog comment...it was a nice surprise to hear from you. It is also good to read you blog, your words, your heart...I could almost hear you speak them. Whatever level of suffering we are experiencing, I think they all stem from the same thing--things aren't the way God intended. Our pain drives us closer to Him and hungrier for His presence and goodness. I love you and miss you. Glad you are getting to know Shane better; he is a blessing to so many.
ReplyDeleteWe think and pray for you often, Ashley. You are doing amazing work over there in Kenya and, though you may not realize it, doing great work in our family through your example ministering through Jesus Christ. Love reading your blog. Thank you for all of your updates and pictures!
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