I've been profoundly reminded again that those God is using so powerfully to bring light have been prepared through dark times. Without doubt, what shapes a child of God or a fruitful leader most are the providential circumstances that lead them deeper into the character of God and communion with the ministry of the God of all comfort.
"...who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Cor 1:4
I don't want to labour this one; the simplicity and clarity of God's word (as always) speak for themselves. Simple, obvious notes on application from observance and experience are personal sub notes ...and way less important. By all means, spend a few hours meditating on the verse, and ignore the subnotes. God is good.
1. This is countercultural to us, as countercultural as a Saviour who suffers and in multidimensional cosmological trauma, nailed on a cross before pronouncing total unending victory over all that took Him to that place for the salvation and great redemption of humanity. We do not want suffering, but those who offer their lives unconditionally to serve the servant cannot do so without accepting that this is the appointed journey, before the glory.
2. Great leaders and servants of God are born in suffering. No leadership plan of worth doesn't include suffering and testing as a (maybe the) vital component. Character is everything in New Testament leadership. Everything in character is tested, proved and strengthened in suffering, as total dependence on Christ is clarified, and likeness to Christ is charged. Our voice, which crackles from tears, will prick up the ears of our neighbours yet to trust in Christ. They are ready to hear from one of them who knows their pain, ready to reject an arrogant one who says they know it all and insists you have a theological download. The beginning of our gospel message is that Christ came into our suffering to share it, take it on, deal with it; no other starting place makes sense for hurting people.
3. Lessons of suffering can easily be forgotten when life is easier, and some lessons go deeper into the same issue for increased future blessing. The mystery of providence is that we will be learning amidst suffering until heaven; suffering is not going to be seasonal or singular, however great one season of suffering may be. Faithful servants may be further tested and refined for even greater blessing to a suffering world, through further temptation and hard times. The one who was proclaimed as beloved and faithful was led into the wilderness ( Matthew 3:17, 4:1) based on obedience. Further suffering and testing may be a sign of obedience, not disobedience.
4. We have a lot to learn. There is no shortage of suffering in our world, therefore no shortage of what we may need to go through, endure, and seek God through for him to use us as He wills. His ways are always good and fruitful; the treasure of tender-heartedness and a contrite heart is a rich and diverse blessing. When we are most full of Him, we are most useful. He will use you and me as we submit to him. (John 3:30). Don't limit the God who can do immeasurably more in your life.
5. THE SPIRIT MINISTERS TO US ALL THE RESOURCES WE NEED, as we are pointed to, equipped and enabled by Christ as both Saviour and Lord. (John 14:16-17, Rom 8:26)
The trinitarian God works in us His character (Holy desires, long-suffering, compassion, grace, forgiveness, profound, actively committed love) and hope in Him. (ROMANS 5:3-5) (James 1:2-4) (2 Peter 1:3-9). The New Testament teaching is that this is obtained through the road of submission, obedience to the Father, which in turn brings honour to Him and blessing to His world. This submission is often accompanied by times of acute feelings of weakness in a broken and suffering world, and the pain of our own many failures through which and in which we are lovingly and graciously called to depend on Him alone. The same Spirit and LORD who ministers to us in our weakness ministers through us to a lost world. Don't miss the missional dimension of suffering (especially in books like James and Peter) - our world is watching and seeing if our God is real...with us... able to strengthen us. Working in us by His word, we are reminded that Christ, our Great Shepherd, who lacks nothing, is with us, and working through us. He is our hope, our LORD, our encouragement, strength and truth for the journey (Matthew 9:36, Romans 8:31). May His loving Lordship and rule bring us to the place of uncompromised submission to Him and unbounded fruitfulness for Him.
(TBC)
No comments:
Post a Comment