On the Value of Suffering - Part One

I did a lectio (found in Solo) yesterday morning in Leviticus 4:32-35. A seemingly "dry" passage has started an interesting train of thought. I don't fully understand the why behind Old Testament animal sacrifice, but it does give some insight into how seriously God takes sin. The Israelites' pathway to reconciliation with God and atonement for their sins was sacrifice. Outwardly the path may look different for us today, but it is essentially the same: sacrifice.

Sacrifice: the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim (1).

In sacrifice, we are willing to give up something we enjoy, value, or even need in order to be reconciled to God (made compatible with Him, 1). The Israelites gave a chief source of provision; God gave His Son...what am I to give? There are obvious things--like time and money--and there are more essential things. Deeper things. Things that I assume to be basic rights, to which I should and must have complete and continuous access. Like my will. The circumstances I deem "successful" or "meaningful." The schedule and activities that contrubute to what I have determined pertinent to a "decent life." Giving this up for the sake of relationship with God...this is sacrifice. Sacrifice implies suffering. Suffering is not a hot item in today's American culture. We like to be comfortable and in control. We like to have the approval of others--or at least not have to deal with those who don't approve of us. This seeking our own way is what dominates the flow of our lives."What do you seek here, since this world is not your resting place? Your true home is heaven; therefore remember that...All things are passing, and you yourself with them... Let all your thoughts be with the Most High...If you cannot contemplate high and heavenly things, take refuge in the Passion of Christ, and love to dwell within His Sacred Wounds. For if you devoutly seek the Wounds the Jesus and the precious marks of His Passion, you will find great strength in all troubles... Christ was willing to suffer and to be despised; and do you presume to complain? Chist had enemies and slanderers; and do you expect all men to be your friends and benefactors? How will your patience be crowned if you are unwilling to endure hardship? Suffer with Christ, and for Christ, if you wish to reign with Christ." ~Thomas a' Kempis (2) Good, huh? In a recent sermon at MPPC (3) entitled, "Why Faith Won't Feel Like It's Working," Scott Scruggs was sharing on Jesus' often-misunderstood statement, "In this world you will have trouble..." Trouble...is the pressure of being torn between world-conformity and God-conformity.
...is the blind-siding effects of plan taking an unexpected turn.
...is the disappointment and discouragement of realizing your life isn't turning out the way you had expected and hoped.
It's what Peter encountered after he got out of the boat to walk (on the water, mind you) to Jesus. He saw the wind and had a choice to make: look at the wind or look at Christ.
It's what Jesus encountered as he prayed in the garden before He was arrested--an intense and very natural urge to avoid what He knew was coming. He had a choice to make: look at the pain or look to His Father.

I seek to live an easy life. There. The truth is out. I'm attracted to jobs, career plans, schedules, people, activities that will be easy for me and assure the greatest possible comfort and ease. How can I expect to be exempt from "trouble"? I was recently with a friend who is living in a very painful family situation. Through frustrated tears she said, "My life just hasn't turned out at all like I had expected." How can I expect to be exempt from this?

1. http://www.dictionary.com/
2. The Imitation of Christ
3. http://www.mppc.org/