It’s Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Take a walk through any consumer store: Best Buy, Target, or Walmart, and you’ll be surrounded with products that make life more convenient. Life can get so “convenient” that we don’t need to move much … except to play, be entertained, or attend parties. But, in the end, what will it produce? Jesus gives us a new perspective that will help us not “update to the world” but recalibrate back to our Creator’s specs. Read on …
Today's Reading:
Exodus 9,10,11; Luke 24
Scripture
“Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:26)
Observation
Certain things in life make suffering a necessary thing. However, if my goal in life is an existence that is insulated from any suffering, then I may never achieve God’s fullest plans for me.
“Was it not necessary for Christ to suffer …?”
- In order to learn, I must suffer when the disciplines of life press on me.
- In order to grow, I must be willing to suffer through the cold winter seasons.
- In order to mature, it will be necessary to suffer under stormy conditions, scrutiny, and negativity from without and from within
The most significant challenges will never be under ideal conditions. I may practice paddling in smooth water, but the race will happen in the rough, open ocean. I might make Godly commitments in the emotion of a church service, but it must be lived out where no music is playing in the background, and no one is saying, “Praise the Lord.” I can say “I DO” at the altar surrounded by well-wishers, candles, and flowers, but my commitment will be tested when surrounded by bills, dirty dishes, crying kids, and an upset spouse.
Application
True commitment is staying true to a worthy decision long after the emotion of making that decision has passed. Life will include necessary suffering: in my marriage, ministry, personal life, and more.
But if that’s the only way that will lead to my destiny in Christ, a fruitful life, and likeness … then I am buying a ticket on that train!
Prayer
Dear Father, please give me the strength to go through the necessary sufferings of life. My goal is not leisure. It is, as Paul said, “That I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12).
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