REJOICE IN SUFFERING
Today’s reading – Colossians 1:24-29 (below)
Today’s reading begins with these words from the Apostle Paul, “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you.” While we did read the rest of the scripture passage, we just couldn’t get past those words.
You see we are in a season where many people we love are suffering and consequently we are suffering too. There isn’t enough time in the day to take care of the multiplied needs around us. The time pressures are only to be trumped by the heart pressures. So while there is significant suffering, that is true, the word rejoicing is even truer! If we didn’t love these people so deeply we wouldn’t be suffering. If we didn’t have the gift of these precious relationships, our lives would be a suffering free zone. So we are using the Lenten practice “give up, give in, give out” to know God in our life today. We are “giving up” the focus on the difficulty, “giving in” to the grace of “rejoicing” during this difficult season and “giving out” whatever we can to continue to lighten the load of others.
During Lent we practice “give up, give in, give out” as ways to know and return to God. You can give up chocolate, coffee or Facebook for Lent but that might not be what is most needed. Paul teaches us that there is Divine-joy connected when we “give In, give up or give out” of suffering. In suffering we can know God and love people. God-designed it so that when there is suffering and sacrifice it can be linked to joy! We can choose.
What is happening in your life? Are there difficulties? Is there suffering? Can you link them to joy? Paula D’Arcy says, “God comes disguised as your ordinary life.” Try the “3 G” practice and experience knowing God right here in your life.
Practice-
- Give upwrong focus on suffering
- Give in to your Center and find joy in your suffering
- Give outsome grace to someone who is suffering. Send them a card, make a meal, visit or make a phone call. Bring them joy!
Rejoicing,
Scott and Clare
24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness- 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
Colossians 1:24-29 (NIV)