Tuesday Refocus: August 15

“Lament will not allow us to revert to the easy answers.” - Soong Chan-Rah

Our church has been studying the Gospel of Mark this year. Throughout the book we see glimpses of the humanity of Jesus grieved over sin and death. Jesus weeps, groans, and sighs as he encounters the brokenness wrought by sin in the world and on people made in the image of God.

We are so quick to avoid pain and suffering. We numb, distract, ignore, and brush past the brokenness of the world. And when we are left without option we even use Scripture to shield ourselves: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Of course this passage is true. But isn’t it interesting that Jesus never settles for Bible bandaids? We see in Scripture that he enters into the suffering of others, even though he knows he will heal, restore, and reconcile people. Jesus - though fully God and fully man - gives voice to the pain of the world, and people.

People are limited in our ability to heal, but by entering into the suffering of others (rather than avoiding, or Bible-bandaiding) we can give presence and peace that glimpses Christ for others. And as we enter in, we can celebrate that Christ has come to enter into the suffering of the world by taking our sin upon Himself at the cross (1 Peter 2:24). And we can look with hope, longing, and expectation to the day where he will return to wipe every tear, and set all things right (Rev 21:1-4).

Jesus, give us the courage to enter into the suffering of the world. In Your name we pray, amen.

With,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: July 18

“The more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you, in proportion to your fear of being hurt. The one who does most to avoid suffering is, in the end, the one who suffers most.” - Thomas Merton

It was for the joy set before Jesus, that He endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). The Author, Finisher, and Perfecter of our faith suffered, why would we believe that our lives would - or should - look any different?

Suffering feels unnatural because it was never intended to be a part of our world and our lives - and one-day suffering will cease to exist. But if we suffer with Christ as children and heirs, we will also be glorified with Christ (Romans 8:17)! Suffering feels unnatural in a world and culture of instant gratification. Suffering is counterintuitive because it says that there can be future joy, and eternal pleasures only in part today, but forever more on that day.

Father, may we experience Your comfort in our suffering? May we glimpse You joy now? Fill us with endurance, oh, Lord. In Your eternal and enduring name, amen.

Amen,

AB

June 8: Tuesday Refocus

“The Son of God suffered unto the death, not that men might not suffer, but that their sufferings might be like His.” - George MacDonald

Humanity can feel heavy.  Even creation groans under the weight of sin (Rom 8:19-23).  Suffering is a part of life - but it was never supposed to be that way.  The sin of our first parents warped and bent everything good, beautiful, and perfect into something other than its original intention.  And on days when I feel especially heavy, especially weary, I find myself yelling out prayers like a storm-tossed disciple: ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ (Mark 4:38).

Is Christ’s presence with us in the boat, with us in flesh, with us by His Spirit not the answer for which I am groaning in those moments?  I ask questions, God answers with Himself.  ‘Put your fingers here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ (Jn 20:27)

My suffering only makes sense when I can see that my Savior has first suffered for me.  My suffering only makes sense when I see that it is accomplishing something larger, and longer-lasting than this moment - it is preparation for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Cor 4:17).  When we suffer with our Savior we will also be glorified with Him (Rom 8:17).

The suffering of Christ is the answer to my own suffering.  His suffering is complete, once for all (Heb 10:12-13), and has given access to a life where, ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’  Rev 21:4

Jesus, thank you for your withness in our suffering.  Thank you for your own suffering which is final and complete.  Thank you that we will one day stand face-to-face with the One who bears eternal scars.  Amen.

With,

AB

February 16: Tuesday Refocus

“Problems patiently endured will work for our spiritual perfecting.” - A.W. Tozer

On the Eve of this Lenten season, we can agree we have lived in a perpetual state of Lent the past year. Fasting from and withholding of much of the goodness and sweetness we have come to recognize within our lives.  Our hearts have grown sick and weary for the hope deferred (Proverbs 13:12), as we have longed for things to be different.

Scripture says: ‘For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.’ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Suffering this side of eternity is real, deep, and painful.  You may run, but you will never outrun suffering’s global and local, universal and personal reach.  But when we run to suffering and remain steadfast, we will be perfected and complete, lacking nothing (Jam 1:4).  We follow the example of the Suffering Servant, the Man of sorrows who was acquainted with grief, who for the Joy that was set before Him endured the cross, completing His work (Is 53, Heb 12:2).

We are only able to embrace suffering when we see that it is accomplishing something deeper, and richer within us… and that may not be seen or experienced this side of eternity, but there?  Beyond all comparison.

Lord, as we enter into this intentional time of remembrance and removal, may we look to You.  May we be captivated and filled with the reality of who You are and what You have accomplished.  You who patiently endured, You who delighted to do Your Father’s will, You who lived among us, died for us, have been raised, are seated at the right hand of the Father, and will return again.  In Your name, Jesus, amen.

To Lent,

AB 

April 21: Tuesday Refocus

‘The other gods were strong; but Thou wast weak;

They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;

But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak,

And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.’ - Edward Shillito

Each of us bears wounds internally and externally.  Wounds which take the shape of our own sin, and others which resemble the sin committed against us.  Some wounds are in the shape of the refining, sanctifying, love and discipline of God (Heb 12:6).  And still, other wounds are ‘…carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested… (2 Col 4:20).’

Your wounds may not cause delight, but they can cause wonder and worship.  Because our Savior bears eternal scars.  

He is the Suffering Servant (Is 53),

the High Priest able to empathize (Heb 4:15),

the One acquainted with all our ways and acquainted with grief (Ps 139:3, Is 53:3).

the first fruit of those who have fallen asleep, bearing the marks of His death and resurrection for all eternity (1 Cor 15:20, Jn 20:27)

‘Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure we will also reign with Him.  If we disown Him, He will also disown us; if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.’  2 Timothy 2:11-13

In light of the eternal weight of glory, our wounds will seem light and momentary (2 Cor 4:17).  Because out of the perfection of beauty, God shines forth - bearing eternal scars (Ps 50:2).

Thank you, Jesus, that our suffering is never in vain, never for naught, and accomplishing our maturity.  Thank you that we never suffer alone, we can place our wounds in the hands that have been wounded for us.  We love you and are grateful, in Your name, amen.

Sharing,

AB