Last week at the burn we were running through these 3 stations of the cross for service. They were Pain, Sacrifice, and Rejection. As a leader of course, I had the opportunity to run through those stations with a group of students. What really hit me was the pain station. I didn't really notice at first when I was speaking about it, but really talking about what Christ endured for us made me appreciate it so much more.
Recently, I've been struggling with the idea of rejoicing in our suffering. It's one of those things I just read and let bounce around in my head till it made a reappearance and slapped me in the face. What's it mean to rejoice in our suffering and why should we? Let's take a look at some verses. First my buddy Paul the Apostle: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-5. I'm sure everyone's heard the saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
Although I haven't been through any suffering worthy of recognition, from what I have been through I can definitely say it is worth it on the other side. I think it's good to know that I'm not going to get left hangin' when I'm "in a trough." Like a good shepherd, Christ's going to pull me out of that crack in the earth.
Anyway, this is just one of those things I like to keep in mind and turn over. I don't think I'm ever going to come up with a perfect answer for this one, but I think it'd be fun to come back to this in a year or so to see what I've got then.
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Romans 5:3-5 was actually the team verse for volleyball and I have it up behind my computer. Right above "Rule #76: No excuses, play like a champion."
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