NOT ALL THERE IS

 4065

Pt. 1

Sometimes life isn't fair.

Wars, murder, disease, accidents, mental illness. The abundance of these things, and more can be so distressing, disturbing, disgusting, and depressing, and can drive the most committed believer to his knees.

We have all "been there." We have all experienced a few too many unexpected circumstances in the space of far too little time. We have all found ourselves on the brink of giving up, and possibly even walking away from the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.

The death of a beloved daughter in a car accident. The unexpected destruction of a home by a western wildfire. A young father's removal from a respirator after having contracted Covid. The termination of one's employment just prior to eligibility for retirement.

We live in an unredeemed world. Bad things happen to good people. Bad things happen to God's people. When Adam and Eve sinned against God some pretty horrible things were set into motion, and in spite of the redemptive act of Jesus on the cross, the Word of God guarantees that we, each and every one of us, will experience tribulation.

And in spite of our ultimate redemption, in many ways that redemption remains a promise. For we have not yet been utterly saved from the impact of our first parent's choices. We are still subject to trials, troubles and tribulations.

I have often quoted an obscure verse from the Book of Colossians.

"Filling up in my own body the unfinished sufferings of Christ."

I'm inclined to share something I once wrote.

Pt. 2

A few years ago, I was watching an interview between an anchorman and a priest on FOX news, and the topic happened to be the late Pope, John Paul II, who had only just passed away.

The priest began to speak about the sufferings of the pope, how that after the assassination attempt he suffered pain the rest of his life, and as John Paul aged he developed Parkinson's Disease which proved to be extremely debilitating, as well. And yet for all his suffering, this priest continued to travel, and minister to his people.

Near the end of the interview the Catholic cleric quoted Colossians 1:24, "Filling up in my own body the unfinished sufferings of Christ."

And the newsman responded, "I don't understand. What is unfinished about Christ' sufferings?"

To which the kindly priest, with a sad twinkle in his eye, responded...

"…Our Participation.”

 Pt. 3

It isn't fun or convenient to participate in Christ' sufferings. But I think it helps to understand that this life is temporary, and that we can't stay here. 

In 1st John 2:17 we read,

"But this life...is passing away, but he who does the will of God endures forever."

We live in a fallen world where we are subject to doubt, difficulties, disillusionment and even death and destruction. But thank God, this isn't all there is.

Our redemption draweth nigh. As believers we have the hope and the promise that our redemption will, one day, be fully realized. 

"But I reckon the sufferings of this present time aren't worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

Stay encouraged, my believing friends. A day will come when the momentary difficulties, disillusionment, death and destruction of this world will have passed, the joy of our redemption will be fully realized, and we will live in the amazing presence of our blessed Savior forevermore. 

by Bill McDonald, PhD