October, 2007
It seems this year my mind has been on suffering a lot. In my usual myopic way, I tend to first think of my own suffering and applications of the lessons I’ve learned there. But this last month, one of my friends lost most of his ministry retreat center in the fires in Southern CA while two other friends have begun serious battles against cancer, and still another had a child in a severe accident. I found myself trying to figure out what I’ve learned and then how to communicate that to them. As I reflected, I constantly wandered back to the book of Hebrews. Why? Because Hebrews is full of people who did not lose hope, but had faith to continue on.
Actually, let me start with the book of James where James tells us that the trials or testing of our faith develops patience within us. It’s easy to see where being persecuted specifically for one’s beliefs is a trial of faith, but how can illnesses, disasters, accidents test our faith? My friend has an analogy which I’ve frequently plagiarized that begins with a tube of toothpaste. She explains that when squeezed, the tube spits out that which has been put into it. Usually that substance is toothpaste, but if I put ketchup into the tube, despite what the label says, if you squeeze it, you’d better have some french fries handy. In the same way, when life squeezes us (and it always does, in the form of trials or testing), what comes out is our character which is made up of what we put into our lives. Therefore, trials reveal our character. And if we don’t like what we see, we have the opportunity to change it. So where does the patience that James talks about come in?
I believe that it comes when we quit asking “why” and start asking “what”, as in “What do you want me to learn from this, God?” We acknowledge that God is sovereign, that He is in control of the situation and He could remove (or prevent) it at any time. But now we have to have faith that He has allowed it, yes, even put it there, for a purpose. And that purpose is to develop our character (and the character of those around us who will also be influenced by this trial). When I looked at other translations of this passage, I found the word patience is also translated perseverance and endurance. This endurance then leads to maturity and joy. So the key, when in a trial, is to endure. Gut it out. Keep on keepin’ on. We have to endure the trial. Not try to escape it. Not even try to mitigate it. But the learning, the maturity, comes in the enduring.
The picture that comes to my mind is if you were holding a cat and then you extended your arm and started spinning around. The cat would clamber as close to the center-point of the spinning as possible and then dig its claws in as deeply as they could go and though it let out a howl to pierce your eardrums it wouldn’t let go. (OK, so it’s not the best analogy….) Anyway, when we want to endure, we need climb as close to the unshakable center of our faith and stick our claws in. In difficult times, we cannot go with our emotions, but we need to stick with what we know: God loves me. God desires His absolute best for me. God is faithful. Like Jacob in the Old Testament, I will not let go until You, the source of all blessings, have blessed me.
So then I moved on to Hebrews, where over chapter 11 which is often called “The Faith Chapter”, I sometime long ago wrote “The Endurance Chapter”. Therein is listed many of the godly predecessors of the early church. These people were well-known to them as those who endured much, having their faith tested, and because of their endurance and their obedience during their trial they were rewarded. It didn’t mean their trial disappeared. Noah was thought to be a crazy man, Moses suffered with the Israelites. The chapter talks of those who escaped death, but it also talks of the many who were tortured, stoned to death, or sawn in two. Chapter ten talks of those who had their property confiscated but they reacted with joy.
God never promises that life will be easy or that the trials will disappear if we respond correctly. But Hebrews 10:36 says that when we do persevere we will receive what He promises. But we must love Him more than whatever it is that the trial is threatening to take away. Trials may strip us of our property. Do I love Him more than that? They may threaten to rob us of our reputation. Do I love Him more than what others think of me? If they actively speak against me? And sometimes, those trials may take our very lives. Revelation 12 speaks of those who did not love their lives more than they loved Christ. This is the ultimate test. There’s no backpedaling. If the trials of life squeeze you to your actual death, you only get that one chance to show your true character. There’s no second chance to remedy it or make corrections. Do I love Jesus more than I love my own life? Will He call me to that testimony?
I had a talk with someone last week on intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. It seems this wonderful teacher wanted to have her class be motivated from within so she did not offer many rewards for the accomplishments the kids made. I can understand her logic, in that it seems that a child should come up with a self-placating reward. It certainly would be a lot easier to get my kids to make their beds. Society is filled with extrinsic rewards – whether it be a paycheck from a workplace, a smile from a parent, or the accolades of friends. And throughout Scripture, God promises rewards to those who persevere. James fills us in on a couple of those promises: maturity, not lacking in anything (v. 4); joy (v. 2); and a crown of life (v 12) to those who love Him. Hebrews even talks of Jesus’ motivation – “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross”. He was able to endure the worst trial of all because He knew He’d have the joy of the Father’s pleasure in Him and would be rewarded by being seated at His Father’s right hand, and He’d have the joy of drawing all men to Himself and living with them eternally.
Sometimes when I am running and find myself flagging as I go uphill, I find if I can look at an object, say a particular plant on the side of the road, a rock, a tree, or anything out ahead of me, I can endure the hill. The object seems to draw me to itself, almost pulling me up the hill. Hebrews 12 tells us how not to grow weary and lose heart. We must fix our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus is the one who gave us faith to begin with. And He is the one who will complete or perfect it. Further on in the chapter it explains how the reward of righteousness and peace will come. And it doesn’t say whether “later on” means on earth or in heaven.
So, to my friends, I say hang on. Cling to the One who holds you. Dig in your claws. Persevere. Endure. Fix your eyes on Jesus Christ. There are rewards, but they come after the endurance. Now put one foot in front of the other and run.
The Submissive Despot
Amy Louise
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