Life is tough

January 14, 2009

I Peter 4:12-19 (The Message)

“Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. If you’re abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It’s the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they’re on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that’s a different matter. But if it’s because you’re a Christian, don’t give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name! It’s judgment time for Christians. We’re first in line. If it starts with us, think what it’s going to be like for those who refuse God’s Message! ‘If good people barely make it, What’s in store for the bad?’ So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it.”

Dr. M. Scott Peck wrote a book entitled, The Road Less Traveled, and he began the book with one very simple but profound sentence. “Life is difficult.” Our times are such that we have only to agree with that statement. With layoffs in the strangest of places occurring, the landscape of our lives hardly seems easy.

For the folks of Peter’s day who were suffering persecution, Peter brings a word of perspective. Essentially his word is that they change the thoughts that they think. When they witness and experience the suffering they must remember that they are getting only a taste of what Christ experienced. The outcome for them will be a spiritual awareness unlike they have known before. This is for them a “spiritual refining process” where that which is impure in them is being made pure. While it may hurt, be painful and create a great deal of struggle, the fact of the matter is that the other side of the struggle will offer them a better view of life—a peace and a joy that they have not known heretofore. Their mission is to do what God has called them to do, trust God fully. God wouldn’t intentionally cause their pain, but God is faithful to bring good from the experience.

Peter might as well have been speaking directly to us. Our nation is suffering thanks to the greed of people. Those not greedy are losing money, losing jobs, losing hope in many ways. But the message to Peter’s day stands for us. God is not causing this, but God will bring something good from it. Surely that remains to be seen for all of us. Still if we can see these difficult times in our lives as times of spiritual refining, we might just look back one day and realize gratitude for this time.

So, that raises a number of questions: Can the practice of gratitude get us through each day? How can our lives be a testament to what it is to live as a Christian in our culture? Do we consider ourselves as a true Christian Community? If so, what are the ways that we can support each other through our spiritual refinement?

Times, indeed, are tough. But, God is here. It is simply up to us to embrace our God. May we find peace and joy in our relationships with God this week! Amen.