Dear SCC & Friends,
If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?~Jeremiah 12:5
Update #48
Did we sign up to compete with horses? Did we plan to fight it out in the thicket of Jordan? “Come to Jesus, and He’ll take care of all your problems” or “Why is all this happening to me since I’m a Christian?” Jesus never makes it easy for anybody – Pick up your cross, deny yourself and follow Him is for everybody. He told us in advance…These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. ~John 16:33 That is for all of life, including our circumstances, cultural upheaval and genuine concerns for the future. In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider God has made the one as well as the other… ~Ecc. 7:14
Some things are just unpleasant and can seem unnecessary or overemphasized at the time. Part of my military training was Jungle Warfare School in Panama. Our instructors were Green Berets who seemed oblivious to pain and “my feelings.”. The school was three weeks of intensive simulated warfare. Our classroom was triple-canopy jungle, tropical rain and humidity which could only be described as one giant steam bath. I have to say, “It was awful!” Wet, wet, and more wet… Heat, heat, cold and more heat…Simulated combat and enemy patrols all around…harassment and very little sleep. It turned out that the training and discomfort in Panama was worse than anything I experienced in the jungles of Viet Nam. In hindsight I am very grateful they pushed, prepared and disciplined us for the worst environment we might encounter. Preparation and process are often indistinguishable…short cuts or the path of least resistance rob us of depth and authenticity. The Apostle Peter knew all too well…Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you… ~1 Pet. 4:12 You are joined with God as He labors in your life for His will and good pleasure… Keep up the good work!
Blessings,
Kevin