We Are Called to Suffer
— Dr. James R. Kok
Being a follower of Jesus is not just about having a ticket to heaven. It is not just about feeling forgiven, saved, redeemed or thankful. It is not simply about feeling anything, even though powerful feelings may nourish one’s spiritual life.
It is about knowing you are a precious child of God who is needed and who has gifts that The Lord needs you to use. Being a follower of Jesus is to be willing to work hard—even suffer to help God get His message and his Goodness into the world.
St Paul said this:
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…those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God… and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ— if in fact we suffer with him… |
Romans 8:14–16 |
Paul says, “Suffer with him.” To suffer with Christ means—at the very least—to be going about our everyday business intentionally taking risks to deliver concrete acts and words of Care and Kindness. According to those words of St. Paul, inclusion in the family of Jesus Christ involves a lifestyle that thinks of others and thoughtfully sacrifices one’s personal comfortableness in strategic ways at strategic times to deliver goodness, love, support, and encouragement to others. This is a form of suffering to which we are called.
We may need our minds blown open for this. It is a revolutionary change for many to decide to do what is uncomfortable.
It means that a trip to the bank is not just to deposit money.
It is to notice people and find ways to lift their spirits.
A trip to the Post Office is not just to buy postage stamps.
It is a trip to stand in line and sensitively endeavor to connect with the person next to you and find a way to bless him or her through a word, a listening ear, or a smile.
When back-fence chatter informs you that the couple across the street is going through a divorce or loss of job, the follower of Jesus hears a mandate to send a message or to show up with a spirit-lifting visit—even when you have no idea how to help, what to say, or perhaps even who they are.
That is part of the suffering with Christ to which we are called.
The above is a brief section reprinted from Dr. James Kok’s book, The Miracle of Kindness ©2005. It was taken from Chaper 1, “They Will Know We Are Christians by our Love”.
