Devotion: You Will Suffer
You Will Suffer
Please take a moment to read the scripture from the weekend:
Luke 9:23-24 & John 18:38b-19:5
You may be like me, I don’t typically wake up thinking, “You know what, today’s a good day to suffer.” So in Luke 9:23, picking up my cross daily seems a bit more than what I bargained for. Because I know there was a time in my adolescence when I ascribed to the belief that because I am a Christian, that means only good things will come my way, that it was the easy street. But not too long after that, there were times of suffering in my life. When I was in the midst, it felt complicated and messy. Yet, when I reflect back on those times of suffering, I have come out on the other side with a closer reliance on God and a renewed sense of God’s constant presence in my life.
In his sermon this weekend, Pastor Greg mentioned that we indeed will suffer. We are not apart from suffering, but sometimes it is in those times we find and experience God in new ways. That statement was oddly comforting. I wasn’t alone. I appreciated Pastor Greg’s reflections. God is with us always, and yet sometimes, I still find it easier to notice and rely on God in times of suffering than in times of great joy. In the middle of deep valleys, doubts of God’s presence still creep in, but when I zero in and open up, I notice God’s presence surrounding me, leading me out. We are not exempt from times of suffering, and still, God is with us in that suffering and is leading us.
In John’s Gospel, we get a description of how Jesus was beaten and then sentenced to death. Jesus entered into suffering, knowing full well what was to happen on the cross – the suffering, the pain, and God’s fervent love shown through Jesus’ death on the cross on Good Friday. For me, Good Friday is hard. Good Friday seems so final. As hard as it is, Good Friday reminds me that God is there in it, too. It is just as important for me to experience worship on Good Friday as it is to celebrate worship on Easter because, as a Christan, I know that Good Friday isn’t the end. Easter Sunday comes, and God is with me in that joy too.
Dear Gracious God,
Thank you for sending your son to earth for me. Thank you for walking with us in all times of our lives. Continue to show us your love and compassion and gift us to share it with the world.
Written by Amy Wagner
Amy has been on staff at Sheridan since 2007, and currently serves as the Director of Ministries. When she is not in the church office, Amy enjoys working out, serving others and sharing conversations over a good cup of coffee. Amy and her husband, Brent, love the community of Sheridan and are blessed to call this place their church home.