Aren’t you glad you are in?

Written April 16, 2014

This morning the Daily Bread topic was ‘Joining the Family’ and immediately my mind wandered to Good Friday 21 years ago when I was baptized. I found myself singing, “I ‘m so glad I’m a part of the family of God. I‘ve been washed in His fountain cleansed by His blood. Joint heirs with Jesus as I travel along, I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God”.

Ok I hope that wasn’t overkill on the lyrics but I don’t hear songs like that very often anymore (that’s for another post though).

There was a special feeling of belonging then and an even more special one now because you cannot help if you are honest with yourself notice not just the glowing parts of you but your short comings that render you undeserving of such a thing as well. Sigh…that He loved me and died for me that I might call Him not just Creator but Father and Friend. Woohoo (it is cause for celebration)! (ok, gathers self)

Many of us try to forget the cruel events of Good Friday because we dare not imagine that as a follower of Christ we might be subject to this horrendous pain whether physical or emotional. So we fast forward to Sunday when Jesus upset hell’s party and garnered for us reconciliation with God the Father. Certainly when we imagine the omnipotence of God we are pleased to serve Him and clamor for that kind of display of resurrection power in our own lives and against our enemies.

But the thing is we cannot accept one part of the story without the other. Just like we cannot crave the rewards our relationship with God affords us without embracing His suffering as well. As we live out our lives we should not fear the challenges that come our way especially as a result of our faith in God. 

Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” Matthew 5:10-12. I know at first glance you might think you are encouraged to see trials as blessed but it is not they that are blessed it is the ONE who endures them. So while they may not be a ‘breeze’ to handle if you can stay mindful that you are blessed during your trials you will be able to perceive and respond to them differently. You will be able to be joyful in spite of what the conditions around you look like for you will be repaid ‘double for your trouble’.  

Do not be dismayed, God has put the icing on the cake for us assuring us that all roads lead to victory for His children. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

If we could only meditate on that and remember it as we face the difficult things in our lives and in ourselves we would like our almighty God carry our own crosses with pride and strength. 

Just remember, they did not kill Jesus, He chose to die (yielded to death) that He might save you and me and give us hope and power to remain confident in Him and to vanquish fear as we live out our lives!

Aren’t you glad you are a part of the family of God?! His family affords us privilege and power and undying love!

Until next time,

EJ

Onward & Live IN Purpose