Faithful Witness through Suffering

Discipleship and Mission

Call to Discipleship

A Costly Call

2 Corinthians 6:1-10 The Message

Staying at Our Post

6 1-10 Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. God reminds us,
I heard your call in the nick of time;
The day you needed me, I was there to help.
Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing. Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.

For Reflection

It is our human condition to suffer.  But our suffering is neither good or bad. Nor is suffering punishment for evil deeds or is a lack of apparent suffering a reward.  

Ask yourself, "When have you made the most progress, learned the most?" You probably will note that you learned the most from your failures than your successes. So it is with your spiritual growth.  One does not suffer because of God caught one doing ill-conceived deeds. While suffering may be painful, many of us have understood that living through pain and suffering has resulted in strengthing our resolve.

Some choose to accept that suffering makes them a victim and rarely escape further suffering for the same cause. But we who love the Lord see through our troubles and understand that God wills only the goodness that results. Others as well will see as you embrace your troubles that the suffering enriches your life rather than impairs your life.  Refusing to succumb to life's challenges, even as you have emerged in tears, can fill you with the joy of living.

Pray

Pray so that you will be more able to understand the wisdom of your suffering.

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