So, life’s got you down?! Let’s be adventurer’s, Darling. Chin up, look forward to what our Savior has for us as we live out our lives, completely surrendered, waiting on pins and needles for Him to give us our next move. Christ lived an amazing life. We are invited to do the same as we follow in His steps. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:“ 1 Peter 2:21
Whoa, did that verse say something about suffering??? Why do we immediately shy away from following Christ when things get tough? We almost have an automatic tendency to resist. Many stopped following Christ in the New Testament just because He said some tough stuff. “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” John 6:66-67
Why do we shy away from verses that tell us we might suffer? We almost like to forget they are included in the Bible. Maybe we are not trusting our Guide the way we should be. Maybe we don’t really believe He loves us and knows what is best. Maybe we are not up for the adventure, but we can be. We should be.
Be encouraged! His adventure allows us to bask in the warmth of His love moving forward and living selflessly. Why would we want to stay behind and not follow and instead wallow in the grief of past failures and fears. What good does that do? What difference does that make for eternity? Paul said, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
Right before those verses, Paul lays out our glorious situation to know Christ and be known in Him through suffering. “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10 We get to fellowship with Him through suffering!
Our good attitude in suffering encourages other believers, especially new believers.
I had a conversation with a friend recently. We discussed that it is incredibly important that we are honest with new believers and encourage them not to be discouraged as the adventure into the “fellowship of His suffering” begins. Life doesn’t necessarily get easier after we become a Christian. I have actually seen the opposite to be true and even warn new believers to be on the lookout for ways God is conforming them into the image of His dear Son. Even though it may feel painful at times, we should never resist the adventure!
There is something about those tough times, those “adventures” in life that cause us to draw so close to Him. Often, we are like a little child feeling so brave to do something on our own- refusing all help- until we get hurt. Then, we quickly run to our Father for comfort wanting to be close. Our suffering draws us close to Him.
Fall into the arms of the One who sees the very end of the journey! “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
