November 07, 2008
Happy Martyr
At time or another we’ve all probably played the role of a martyr…even if no where else but in our own mind. As believers we may think we’ve suffered persecution, but few of us can claim to have suffered as did Paul. I find it fascinating and also hard to grasp, that Paul’s suffering actually brought him joy, delight and rejoicing. I could understand it if Paul rejoiced as he reflected on what he’d gone through, but he was actually rejoicing during his suffering. Now I know that I too will rejoice in suffering for the cause of Christ…you just might not see it until I get to heaven.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Gail;
-----Our new life is a life of sacrifice. Daily we die to ourselves in various ways. We sometimes must remain silent regarding matters others see sharply different. That is a martyrdom. Sometimes we must speak up regarding matters others see contrary to clearly stated Biblical truth. That often leads to a loss of respect, or even friendship. And it is a martyrdom. Love does not demand its own way. Instead, it looks to the interest of others and seeks to please them. Circumstances throw us many occasions where something we were prepared to enjoy ourselves must be dropped in the presence of another’s need having arisen. And that is martyrdom. Martyrdom is like energy in physics. Its force can happen in an instant, as it did to Jesus on the cross. Or that same amount of it can be spread over a lifetime. Only the observable results are different. The joy in it remains the effect it has upon others.
-----When I was a child, Mom very often served us fried chicken for Sunday lunch. Oh, man! It was good! My brother and sister loved the thighs and drumsticks. I could almost feel their joy and delight of them. Knowing this, I would generally take the upper and lower backs and wait for the seconds to see if maybe there would be a thigh or drumstick left. Usually I would get to enjoy a wing and my feeling of their delight. In a way, it was even better than having a bite of yummy drumstick in my mouth and, in my heart, the feeling of their lack of it. I don’t know how I got started on this habit, but even to this day I get to Char’s fried chicken for my upper and lower backs, wing, and pleasure of seeing my daughters enjoy the drumsticks. It has become kind of a monument in my mind to standing back some and allowing others a fair shot at the prize, too. For their joy really can be my joy.
-----OK. I’ve heard many, slightly derogatory comments about martyrs and their attitudes. But I just can’t shake the thought from my mind: Jesus was a martyr. If it was good enough for Him in an instant, somehow it must be good enough for me over a lifetime.
Love,
Steve Corey
Post a Comment