Called to Commitment, Not Comfort

Father, today has been a mixed bag of joy and sorrow, with quite a bit of normalcy stirred in. Please continue to guide my heart and hands as we come together once more. May Your word be spread widely abroad! Amen.

Acts 9:15-16 (<<click here to read the passage)

It never surprises me how often God meshes different parts of our lives to one point of clarity. This is one of those times. The recent deaths of loved ones – a believe me there have been far too many, this particular passage of Scripture, and a recent choice of music to which I listen through the Bluetooth in my new hearing aids!

I’ve already shared a couple of times of loss we have suffered, but my Aunt Ruth and Hank are but two of several. They are heaven’s gain, but we still mourn the loss of a wonderful neighbor, two elderly saints from my one church, a dear friend I worked with at Kohl’s, and a young cousin’s husband. Yes, I will see them all again some sweet day but each one is one more weight on my heart…

Then as I read through the notes of the passage regarding Saul’s conversion, I saw this note on verses 15-16.

First these verses,

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a [deliberately] chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will make clear to him how much he must suffer and endure for My name’s sake.” Acts 9:15-16 AMP

Then the note from Life Application Study Bible,

Faith in Christ brings great blessings but often great suffering, too. Paul would suffer for his faith (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-27). God calls us to commitment, not to comfort. He promises to be with us through suffering and hardship, not to spare us from them. (emphasis mine)

I would be remiss if I did not have you read that passage from 2 Corinthians,

Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 NLT

Saul, who the Lord renamed, Paul, definitely went on to suffer and like my loved ones who have joined the multitudes of heaven, their suffering did not distance them from their Savior, but drew them closer.

The last part of the puzzle is a song by one of my favorite artists, Gordon Mote. (Check him out on Spotify or any other music platform.) His 2013 release, All Things New features the song For You.

Here are the lyrics and a link to listen to a wonderful song that ties in all together. Thank you, Lord, for the work You do in our lives regardless of what it brings us.

There’s an endless list of reasons
I should sing your praise
You’ve showered me with blessings
All along the way
Lord, I’m so grateful
For You are so faithful to me

You’ve poured out Your goodness
And my cup overflows
You’ve covered me with mercy
You’ve satisfied my soul
Bread and living water
You are the Friend and Father I need

And if my world should crumble
And sorrow comes to call
From the ashes I will testify
You’re with me through it all
Lord, I love You, I worship You, for You
Yes, I love You, I worship You, for You

If the road that I must follow
Is a road a loss and pain
I’ll choose to give You glory
Yes, I will bless Your name
I will be Your witness
Even when I’m driven to my knees

Cause even if You lead me
Where I would not choose to go
If it has to be Gethsemane
I want the world to know
Lord, I love You, I worship You, for You
Yes, I love You, I worship You, for You

Almighty, Most Holy
God, You and You alone
Are worthy, so worthy
My heart aches to make you known

Even if my world should crumble
And sorrow comes to call
From the ashes I will testify
You’re with me through it all
Lord, I love You, I worship You, for You
Yes, I love You, I worship You, for You

Mar 22^nd, 2022, Tues, 1:06 pm