Today was one of those days when I was very aware of my trial. As Jeremiah Burroughs puts it, "God gives his people leave to be sensible of what they suffer. " Well, I had plenty of leave to be sensible of that today.
Thank God, there are days of joy and peace despite all that has gone on, but today was one of those days when I wanted my particular trial to be over. I had hoped for some resolution of some issues last month. However, it will be another two months before some critical things get resolved. I know God has already decided the outcome but it's hard waiting for what that will be. This interim period has added stresses, and I am getting so weary.
However, God is faithful.
Tonight at prayer meeting, the pastor shared from Philippians on suffering with joy for the sake of the gospel. He gave the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus as those who suffered. He asked us would we be willing to suffer like that? In the good discussion that followed, a brother said (who I am quoting from memory), "The goal is not the suffering. The goal is Christ. Christ is outside the camp in the place of suffering so to be with Him, we will endure the suffering."
That's it. The goal is Christ.
All that I am going through is not the end in itself. Neither is the goal to tough it out until this season is over so I can go back to being "happy". No, the goal is Christ.
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:7-8 (ESV)
Thank God, there are days of joy and peace despite all that has gone on, but today was one of those days when I wanted my particular trial to be over. I had hoped for some resolution of some issues last month. However, it will be another two months before some critical things get resolved. I know God has already decided the outcome but it's hard waiting for what that will be. This interim period has added stresses, and I am getting so weary.
However, God is faithful.
Tonight at prayer meeting, the pastor shared from Philippians on suffering with joy for the sake of the gospel. He gave the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus as those who suffered. He asked us would we be willing to suffer like that? In the good discussion that followed, a brother said (who I am quoting from memory), "The goal is not the suffering. The goal is Christ. Christ is outside the camp in the place of suffering so to be with Him, we will endure the suffering."
That's it. The goal is Christ.
All that I am going through is not the end in itself. Neither is the goal to tough it out until this season is over so I can go back to being "happy". No, the goal is Christ.
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:7-8 (ESV)
We had worship last night. It was fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. The fire is hot here at this time also. I am glad for your last paragraph - the goal is not to tough it out until the season is over so I can go back to being happy - the goal is Christ. I needed to hear that this morning!
ReplyDeleteRS,
ReplyDeleteLast night showed me how much I need the body of Christ. God is faithful to use the brethren to lift up the downcast.
Gregg,
Thanks for the comment. I need to remind myself every minute that the goal is Christ. May the Lord sustain you in your time of trial.