Listen

During his days on earth, Christ offered prayers and requests with loud cries and tears as his sacrifices to the one who was able to save him from death. He was heard because of his godly devotion. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. After he had been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for everyone who obeys him. He was appointed by God to be a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 5:7-10

Think

There’s no way around it. Obeying God can cause suffering. It means at the very least swallowing our pride, which is not a tasty snack. Sometimes it means losing friends, denying ourselves something we want, or even taking a risk that hurts us in body or emotions.

Many people throughout the generations have suffered in order to be faithful to what they believed God was telling them to do. People like those who sheltered Jewish neighbors during the Holocaust. People like Archbishop Desmond Tutu who stood up against the wrongs of apartheid. People like those who are working in war zones now to provide aid to refugees.

A “prosperity gospel” which says that if we follow Jesus everything will be easy for us is just plain not true. What is true is that Christ suffered to become our savior forever, and that when we suffer, he knows and is with us.

Dawn Weaks

Question to Ponder:

Why do you think obeying God sometimes causes us to suffer?

Pray

Jesus, you cried out and shed tears.

Sometimes I do, too.

Let your suffering guide me in my own, I pray.

Amen.

Go

Hear what God is nudging you to hear. Maybe it’s to pause before speaking, or to act boldly when you see someone wronged. Maybe it’s to love outside of your circle. Maybe it’s to love yourself. Take courage, and listen.