A few years ago, I was watching an interview between an anchorman and a priest on Fox News. It seems Pope John Paul II had just died, and the kindly minister described the things with which he contended.
“Of course, an assassination attempt was perpetrated on Pope John Paul from which he never fully recovered, and from which he suffered much. And in the past few years, he struggled with Parkinson’s Disease. However, in spite of his physical challenges, he continued to travel the world and minister to his people.”
And with this, the priest concluded his statement with,
“So much like the verse,
‘Filling up in my own body the unfinished sufferings of Christ.’” (Col. 1:24)
At this juncture, the anchorman responded.
“I don’t understand. What is unfinished about Christ’ sufferings?”
To which the priest replied,
“Our participation.”
Such an interesting scripture the context of which, to my knowledge, is only found in a couple of other places in the holy writ.
“Filling up in my own body the unfinished sufferings of Christ.” (1:24)
Pt. 2
I was talking to a friend about this story and associated scripture earlier today, and I remarked,
“I think some believers suffer more than others, and understand this verse better than others.”
And as my friend and I continued to talk, I added,
“You know, it occurs to me that there are two things we should remember when we endure suffering. And I believe if we can grasp these concepts it will not only make our suffering bearable, but in a strange sort of way, almost pleasurable; at least, meaningful.”
1. “It is a privilege to suffer on behalf of our Lord, and the greater the suffering, the greater the privilege.”
2. “Suffering has an end. In the scheme of things, it is temporary in nature.”
Of course, sometimes it doesn’t feel like a privilege, and, in fact, it can feel more like a curse. However, scripture assures us it is a privilege.
“Bless-ed are they who suffer (for righteousness sake”). (Matt. 5:10)
And, of course, it sometimes feels like suffering is interminable, and will never end.
However, the Word of God is clear about the subject.
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
Granted, some of us may go the way of the martyrs of Hebrews Chapter 11, but we can be happy to understand that at this moment their suffering is over, and these dear souls are looking directly into the face of Jesus.
Afterward
Stay encouraged, my friend. I think if you and I, as believers, could embrace a new, and better, and different mindset that our suffering is not only a privilege, but is also momentary in nature, it would make all the difference in the way in which we approach it, and endure it.
“Filling up in my own body the unfinished sufferings of Christ.”
by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending
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