Let's admit. We all have struggles. We all have suffering in our lives. Maybe it's bad health or a bad relationship or job rejection or just unexplained sadness that keeps us up at night.
I've had my fair share of what I would call suffering. I've had health issues, relationship struggles, family trials and sadness that came with moving and getting married and watching life change suddenly. There have been moments when I could swear to you that no one cared and no one really loved me, yes, even Jesus.
I remember dark nights of the soul, nights not that long ago. I was promised that things would get better, that I would "make it". And then one night I realized that things weren't better, at least not in my time, and I wasn't sure that while in fact I would, "make it", I really wanted to. What's the purpose of a life where suffering is inevitable and where it seems like no one could understand?
Mark 14:36 is a powerful portrayal. In it we see Jesus knelt before the Father saying, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will but what you will." And here suffering is met with the greatest love we can know. In suffering I don't need to hear that I'll make it or that things will get better. I need to hear the words of my Savior as He willingly suffered for me. "Not what I will, but what You, Father, will". And because of those words, the Creator of the universe laid down His life for me.
Freedom is not found in looking at our circumstances and trying to overcome. Freedom is found in looking to Someone greater and trusting He who has already overcome. May you rest in that freedom today.
"In all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
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