We’ve all heard that serving Christ “wouldn’t be easy, but it’s worth it,” but how many times have we taken this seriously? I can’t count the number of “REALLY, GOD!?’s” I’ve shouted towards the heavens. And today is no different.
But, I read a passage of scripture that has yet to leave my mind. I almost overlooked it as I tried to “checkmark” my daily reading, but something about the story stood out and I paused, re-read, paused, re-read — convicted.
What if, just what if the “worth it” part of the old saying has absolutely nothing to do with us? Just what if our suffering never serves a purpose in our eyes, but our response to it speaks volumes to casual onlookers?
The story I’m referring to is found in Acts 16:16-34 (NASB).
Paul and Silas Imprisoned
" ... The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks .... "
When life hits, it usually hits hard. I don’t mean a tap on the shoulder, but more like a blow to the knees. On the ground, crushed under the pressure of reality, we find ourselves cursing life, and the situation we’ve found ourselves in. Some of us cry, scream, blame others, or wallow in self-pity. But, what if we refused to? What if we, instead, embraced the idea that our suffering is not in vain, but might serve a purpose beyond our understanding?
What if we [gulp] rejoiced?
" .... but about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened .... "
In moments of turmoil, rejoicing seems asinine, right? If you too, feel this way, know you fall amongst the norm. Anger, resistance, and fleeing are easy; embracing, facing, and accepting usually aren’t.
And, what if you were offered an easy way out, a quick fix to the issue you were facing? Would you accept without considering that you might be where God has planned for you to be?
What if sitting in frustration is for His glory?
" ... when the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!' And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and after he brought them out, he said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'”
I don’t know about you, but when easy-way-outs have stared me in the face, I’ve jumped on them ... without second thought. But, are we right to do so? When I read and re-read this passage it just reminded me that my brain is small, and my heart is selfish. In times of trouble, I beg my way out, questioning what I could have done to deserve such frustration.
And then I’m reminded of faith, and willingness: Am I willing to faithfully endure persecution and turmoil, if its only purpose is to teach others that God never promised serving Him to be easy?
The Jailer Converted
" ... they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household."
And then, God speaks. Not audibly, but nudgingly He speaks.
Looking back on rough patches in your life, how have you responded? Do you moan about your suffering, demonstrating your lack of faith in the Hand that promises to guide? Or, are you one of the few that wear a genuine smile, sharing that even in the rough, God makes Himself known?
Complaining is easy, trusting in His truth through every season — not so easy.
In this season of life, where do you find your spirit? Among those rejoicing, trusting, and proclaiming or questioning, blaming, and wallowing?
A new day has arrived ... what will be the tune you share?
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