2/22/2012
Boy am I weary! It has not helped that I am inconsistent with my meetings with God, but this book is a great source of strength and encouragement in times of difficulty. Sometimes it feels as though the world comes crashing down. Sometimes it feels as though life is so overwhelming just coping requires an all out effort. Other times it feels as if the wheels are spinning in place but not getting any traction. But even in the “two steps forward; one step back” scenario it has to be admitted that at certain times it is more like “one step forward; two steps back”. Here, in this passage, we are reminded to keep our perspective clear. Yes trials and testings will come but to understand that Christ has suffered far worse than anything I ever have. I am instructed to keep in mind that these trials and testings; these times of hardship, are meant to strengthen my faith in Christ. They are meant to bind me to my Lord. There is a difference between correction, because I have done something wrong and therefore must suffer for it in order that I might make a better decision, and what the Lord does in me. I suffer not because I have done something necessarily wrong, but because He has something in mind about me that I am not. His discipline is a purging out what stands in the way. It is not because he is punishing me since his Word states that everything God does he does for our good. It is not the same as saying to one of my children, “This is going to hurt me more than it is going to hurt you”. I believe God does grieve when we undergo painful trials brought on by our sin. But he wills it all the same because he wants perfect fruit served on the King's table. Fruit that is spotted and malformed is not fit for the table of any king never mind the King of kings. So we see that our King had to suffer and endure the cross despising its shame, why should we think we might go scott free from suffering likewise? Moreover, we are told that when we do suffer we should consider a different perspective than what would be natural. We should consider it discipline from the Lord. Now if that doesn't blow me down then I don't know what does! Naturally, I should think that if God (or anyone for that matter!) loves me, then he would give me a smooth ride down the mountain instead of a ride on bumper cars or the roller coaster. I should think he would part the “red sea” and help me cross on dry land. I should never think he would make me swim through it for that would require an excessive amount of exertion. But nature also teaches me that healing and strength comes only under pressure and exertion. For instance, in training for a running race or lifting weights, I become stronger only after my muscles are “damaged”. It is in the healing process that the damaged tissue is repaired. The repaired tissue is stronger as it is now prepared to handle heavier and more difficult loads. But if I should not want to experience pain, then I might want to avoid activity meant to help me adapt to increasing and varying stress loads. But I will remain soft. I will never be prepared for battle. I will be untrained and unfit for any use. Moreover, I will be a danger to those who would attempt to rely on me for help. This is how I am supposed to understand pain and suffering in this world. It is because God loves me that he wants to train me to be strong. I am in a race and in order to finish it there will be a lot of pain, without which I will never be able to finish. The joy that the King has in training us is seeing that we will finish – He will see to it. When a person undergoes training, he subjects himself to his trainer to finish the program. He submits himself to the expert trainer and trusts that the trainer knows how to get the results he is looking for upon completion of the program. An important point to consider is that many of the exercises we must perform we might not fully understand how they will benefit us. We might not get their purpose in the program. In the Karate Kid, Mr. Miyagi promised Daniel he would teach him Karate. But much to Daniel's frustration Mr. Miyagi had him perform all kinds of mundane tasks that needed to be done around his home. Daniel finally could no longer restrain his frustration but Mr. Miyagi then showed Daniel how well he learned Karate without even realizing it. Similarly, I do not understand why I must go through what I do. Rarely do I “get it”. I know I am being trained to run the Great Race but I really do not fully comprehend why I must undergo certain “training sessions”. I know what their purposes are in the end, but can't always see how particular “exercises” will accomplish the feat. But as I submit myself to my Trainer, committed to finish the program, I signify in this submission that I will trust his expertise and listen and obey him in everything he tells me to do. I argue; I resist, but he always has his way because I have learned, experientially, that he loves me and is exceedingly patient with me. Moreover, since he has called me to participate in the Games, I know it is a great privilege and opportunity to get trained by the best. I am persuaded and sign up. I am in this until the end.
One last thing to mention in this passage is that the disciplinary process that I must undergo in being properly trained is not punishment in the same sense of what I endured when I was a youth. I read here that God chastises every son whom he receives. In the context of military training or training for a foot race – there is a right way to get the results looked for. If the maneuver is not done properly, we must be corrected. It is imperative we get the maneuver correct. If after we are instructed and yet do not do as we are told we receive the chastisement due to us – rightly so! If we do not obey our Trainer then we put in jeopardy the lives of our comrades. The rebuke of our Lord is not designed to weary and defeat us. It is meant to demonstrate, clearly, his loving acceptance of us. Otherwise why should he bother with such a one as I? What has he seen in me that he should invite me to train with him for the Games? The fact is, there was nothing in me whatsoever! It was his invitation, for reasons unknown to my eye. The King keeps his own counsel. All I know is that He has condescended to include me in the festivities and I gladly accepted!
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