It’s interesting how life happens without even asking for our thoughts or opinions on the matter.
Since my last blog post I have taken up Homebrewing! On an even more joyous yet mournful tone I have ushered into the church Triumphant 2 faithful members of Calvary. Lastly, Lent started. Sooooo… catch up!
With all the suffering that my people and myself have been facing I decided to purchase and read Greg P Schulz book on suffering. If you didn’t know I have a four month daughter at home and so this man’s story of suffering had me in tears. You know, I never cry… I believe this is a book that EVERY Pastor has to read and have handy. You need this role model on your shelf.
“God himself causes our suffering. He is not the cause of sin, mind you, but He is the cause of our suffering.”
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
(Romans 8:18-25 ESV)
I had never seen the problem from this point of view. I guess I cognitively could have told you that view was there but Schulz grabs you by the head and takes you there through God’s narrative God’s narrative intertwined with his story.
As I read Philippians for my devotions I heard this whole idea echoed throughout the letter! Paul in his wanting to depart and be with Christ is found in our own echoes of God’s Word when we cry out to Him about the brokenness of the world and ourselves. And yet later he continues to encourage and exhort us in his classic exclamation to Rejoice & Rejoice!
Next Month Colossians!
+soli Deo gloria+