The last several weeks have provided a lot of “think time” for me. Time that was not on my to do list… Time I didn’t think I could afford. I had plenty of plans and deadlines for this summer, but sometimes He blows our plans apart so that we will accept His much greater ones. I’m grateful He does. And so instead of fighting Him, I’m choosing to make the most of the time He is giving me. I see already that He’s had a purpose in my unlimited “think time.” I’m learning lessons… far greater than anything I thought to learn in school this summer. The lesson that is engraving itself on my mind and heart first came through our evening family story time. Let me share... *He was an ordinary guy, only nineteen. He had felt God’s call to go and give his life to reach a certain Indian tribe for Him. So he left all he knew, home and friends, and purchased a one way ticket to South America. After years of seeking to get to them, he was brutally injured by an arrow shot into his leg by the Indians he came to love. But he did not give up. The work God did in him to reach the Indians was miraculous. Despite enduring terrible injuries and potentially fatal illnesses, he was faithful. And because of his efforts, God brought the whole tribe to a knowledge and acceptance of Jesus. The cross was exalted. Captives were freed. In time, our young friend became engaged to a sweet girl who also loved the Indians and the the Savior. They eagerly looked forward to their future of service together. But the devil can never stand the exaltation of the cross. Their wedding day never came. She died in a heartbreaking car accident. Her fiancée received the telegram sent by her mother weeks later. As if that wasn’t enough, the Indians were being threatened with the loss of their land or death, by the colonists. And it was our missionary's best friend and adopted brother, the first Indian to accept Jesus and the spiritual leader of the tribe, who was first to suffer. He was cruelly murdered. In the midst of his heartbreak and dismay, our missionary friend went to visit one of the Columbian officials to report the death of his Indian brother. It was their conversation that has been burning itself onto my mind the last few days… The Columbian official reminded our friend that the struggles and death they were going through were not in spite of Jesus but for Jesus.. They were because of the honor and exaltation of the cross. The devil was angered at the work done. It was for this cross that they suffered. The lesson imprinted itself powerfully on my mind. So often we find our willingness to suffer, in the knowledge that the pain is for our good. But is that the only reason for our suffering? Might there not be a greater reason, a reason that is far above our little lives?
Might it be that our suffering is for the exalting of the cross? The devil is angry when we give our lives to be a testimony to the power of the cross, angry when he sees captives set free. Could it be that we are called to suffer because the cross is being lifted high? And might it be, that through our suffering, our Jesus wants to raise the cross higher still, by it’s visible power in giving us strength to bear our pain with trust and joy? Could it be that our suffering is God's tool to break our self-reliance, so that He can then use us to lift the cross higher still? I’ve noticed something lately. Many of us who are giving our lives fully to God’s work are facing trials. Sometimes its health challenges, or loneliness, days when it feels like the sun forgot how to shine. But could it be that its for this cross? The thought makes my heart leap. If this is the reason for our pain… Oh Jesus, send us more, that through it the cross can be lifted just another inch higher. And when we suffer, more and more of the cross becomes our own. Jesus becomes dearer. Paul counted his gain as loss, and his loss as gain. Think about that. And so I’ve started praying a scary prayer-- scary because I mean it. My plea is that I would be allowed to suffer more if the cross can be lifted higher by it. That every gift I treasure most will be taken from me, so that I can gain more of my Jesus and His cross. And that He will break me, so that I can be a more powerful vessel in His hands to uplift the cross. Isn’t it worth loosing everything to gain everything? Even if we loose life itself? I don’t know what will be the result of this prayer. It still makes my heart skip a beat when I pray it. But I'm convinced... Anything suffered or given up for this cross is not in vain. I long to say with Paul, …I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and so count them but dung, that I may win Christ. Don’t run from your trials, from your losses. Be encouraged that even pain, health challenges, confusion about your future, and lonliness are not your enemies, but tools in the hand of the Master. Count them as gain. Through them you may lift the cross an inch higher. And you may make an inch more of it your own. Oh Jesus, we’ll willingly bear anything…. …for this cross.
11 Comments
9/1/2014 09:02:56 am
Scary prayer indeed. I prayed something very similar to that for several years... I had no clue what I was asking for... Slowly, slowly, I'm learning to accept pain, and pray it again. It's not easy, but it's worth it. I'm convinced.
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Vanessa Boeser
9/1/2014 09:03:30 am
Amen..I needed this..I have learned these same lessons this summer as well. Very hard to learn, but oh so worth it.
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Blake Montana
9/1/2014 09:04:08 am
Amen! Oh to have that joy to suffer for His Name! Thanks for sharing this!
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Caleb T. Harr
9/1/2014 09:04:38 am
That story of bruchko is an amazing on I read it for school and I think God has a special purpose for his people to share the Gospel to all the world, Thank you for Sharing!
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9/1/2014 09:05:20 am
@Araya, The very fact that you're willing to pray that prayer in the midst of everything is proof that the pain is not in vain. Don't doubt that He is working in you. :)
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Christina Lambert
9/1/2014 09:06:49 am
Oh Hannah, Bruchko is POWERFUL. Absolutely awesome. As I read it the tears came as I recognized what Bruchko really gave to win others to Christ... Especially when he lost his pact brother... But it was "for this cross"...
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Hannah Rayne
9/1/2014 09:08:11 am
Truly a powerful book. The last chapter left me stunned, especially those last few paragraphs. Anything for this cross.
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Rebekah
9/1/2014 09:08:40 am
Amen! I don't recall praying that prayer or anything similar, but I know others were praying for me, and God answered their prayers by sending trials into my life to draw me back to Him. I am forever grateful! Trials are such a blessing!
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James
9/1/2014 09:09:15 am
amen, I Love that story. Its Bruce Olson and has inspired and encouraged me...thanks for this good post.
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9/1/2014 09:09:55 am
@Rebekah- Mmm. Sometimes God reads even deeper into our hearts, and gives us things we haven't asked for, but for which we will be ultimately grateful. And He certainly does use other's prayers. So glad you have found the joy that comes through trials.
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Rebekah
9/1/2014 09:10:39 am
Yes, me too. :) Since my eyes were opened a couple of years ago to see the blessings that come through trials, I have enjoyed the anticipation of a new trial. That's not to say that I always welcome them with open arms, I still have some learning to do, but I am grateful for every one of them. Here are some encouraging verses that I rediscovered lately in my devotions: Leave a Reply. |
Hannah Rayne20. Lover of Jesus. Daughter. Sister. Friend. Servant. Fan of the kitchen. Graduate of Masters of Biblical Counseling.
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