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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion March 13, 2007 |
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Frontline Devotion for Tuesday, March 13, 2007 by Sue Hill
Let’s face it! Suffering is an undeniable part of life that revisits us often. We would like to deny it – cover it over with a bright smile, a reconciling story, a statement of faith. We think it might not get a hold on us if we refuse to notice it’s there. Can’t we admit, however, that sometimes when we are in the throes of the pain of suffering, we are nearly undone? Doesn’t the pain often seem too much for us – like a fire that burns into our psyches and destroys our confidence if not our lives? A psalmist wrote about this core feeling: “My heart is like wax, It is melting within me.” (Psalm 22) At times like these, we can’t seem to get away from the hurting, but we so wish that we could!
Peter wanted to avoid suffering too. We read about that is Mark’s gospel today. Peter wanted Jesus to gloss over or even deny Jesus’ impending passion. Perhaps the truth of it seemed too much to bear.
In response, Jesus told Peter and his other disciples that God has a purpose for suffering. His words to them also suggest that we have a choice in the way we deal with suffering. We can deny it when it comes (and it will), or we can embrace it and use it to inform our hearts and minds in serving others. When we choose to work through our suffering, we free ourselves from its bondage. When we choose to walk through our suffering in faith as a path to servanthood, we follow Jesus.
Suffering is not a moniker to be worn around our necks saying, “I am just like Jesus!” It is a staggering, sobering part of an imperfect world. God knows suffering. God did not turn away from it but turned towards us to help us through his son, Jesus, and to invite us to participate in the alleviation of suffering where we meet it in ourselves and others.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Prayer: May we have ears to hear and rendered hearts ready to follow Jesus. Amen
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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