Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake….

Colossians 1:24

What an interesting verse.

This passage is by the apostle Paul writing to the church in Colosse. He was writing to encourage them in their faith because they had issues swirling around them much like the Church still has today: syncretism (the tendency to regard other philosophies and religions as equally valued as Christianity).

The church in Colosse wanted to believe in the truth taught by Christ, but they also wanted to hang onto their own old beliefs by blending what they had previously lived into the gospel.

Paul reminds the church that God had reconciled them to Him through Christ even while they (and we) were estranged from Him.

It is because of this that Paul says:

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf.”

The suffering that Paul endured is being compared to the suffering that Jesus would still be enduring if He were walking in the flesh in this world today.

Jesus was persecuted repeatedly for calling out the hypocrites in the Church… the leaders that favored power and greed over love.

Jesus was persecuted for loving those unseen by society instead of preferring the company of the “popular crowd”.

Jesus was persecuted for His blatant refusal to judge and punish a person who had sinned based on man’s measurement of what sin looks worse.

Jesus was persecuted for seeing the real need of a person while still healing their infirmities.

Jesus was persecuted because He lived life by God’s Law (to love God and others) and NOT the law made by men to keep people in line and was to be kept no matter the outlying circumstances.

Jesus was persecuted because He showed grace and mercy.

What He died for caused many to be scared because His very existence rocked the boat of legalism and control.

This is the suffering that Paul speaks of that he can rejoice in.

When Paul is beaten for teaching the truth, he rejoices for He is like Christ.

When Paul is arrested for reaching out to those in need in ways that goes against the legalistic rules of society, he rejoices for he is like Christ.

When Paul is banished from a town, stoned to the point of near -death, starved and cold because he has no place to stay…he rejoices.

Why?

For he is like Christ.

Can I say that?

Paul says his suffering is for your sake…He means the church’s sake…those in Colosse…those who read his letters…us.

He suffers so they don’t have to…just like Christ.

His suffering paves a way for them so they don’t have to…just like Christ.

His suffering gives them an example to follow when their time of suffering is inevitable…just like Christ.

Again I ask~

Can I say that??

Through hindsight I can see where my suffering is for the greater good of others. The Lord has enabled me to see where His goodness surrounded me through the trials I was enduring.

Looking back I can see so clearly.

In the moment, however….it is a struggle.

I was once taught to draw a timeline of faith where I would pinpoint where God had sustained me throughout my years. This timeline, much like the commands given in Exodus to remember what the Lord has done, provides encouragement through my current struggles.

I need to choose to remember where the Lord has carried me through before though.

One way, to aid my memory, is to read my Bible daily. It seems a simple task…yet the discipline of reading every day is one of the most challenging things a Christian will face in their faith.

• 

By choosing to intentionally read my Bible, I see the notes in the margins I have made over the years and the passages I have highlighted.

I also receive new insight from the Lord as His Spirit opens my eyes to Scripture as I read it as if I had never seen those verses before.

But, by daily spending time in His Word, I am also in the habit to continue to do so when those times of suffering are upon me. Suddenly, I am in a position to remember the faithfulness of God.

When I am thankful for what He has done, I can find peace in knowing that He is still doing, and be hopeful for what He is yet to do and will do.

Thankfulness leads to peace which leads to hope.

Therefore I CAN rejoice in my suffering because it is not all about me anymore…My suffering, my struggle, my pain, my sickness, my insecurities, my fear, my sorrow are ALL for your sake.

I can say that because God will use every last little thing that I give Him for His good and His glory.

He will use my suffering on your behalf…to be an encouragement to you…to shine a light in the dark spaces…to offer HOPE in a hopeless place.

If there is a PURPOSE for my pain then my pain becomes worthwhile.

And because I desire to follow the command given by Jesus to love my neighbor as myself, I can be better prepared to say “USE MY SUFFERING, LORD, SO OTHERS DON’T HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT I DID.”

If others can learn from my example then so be it Lord.

Thy will be done.

I will rejoice.