My last blog post considered the price of obedience.  If you are going to achieve your God given destiny then it will require that you pay the price.  What if the price is greater than what you want to pay?  We often call that price suffering – it’s a gift that not many of us choose.

When you think of fulfilling your God given destiny you may be thinking of future goals and seeing God work through your life in power.  That is true but we often don’t give much consideration to the price that is paid to reach those lofty heights.

Saul, a persecutor of Christians, was on his way to Damascus when “suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him” (Acts 9:3).  Ananias, a disciple of Jesus, received the unenviable assignment from God to go and give Saul a message.  But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem;'” (Acts 9:13).  Ananias had significant reservations about going to see this persecutor of Christians.  Ananias however, obeyed and gave this message to Saul,

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.  (Acts 9:15-16)

Saul, who later became the Apostle Paul, was transformed into a man that God would use to write much of the New Testament and launch the early church into a world-wide movement.  His destiny included suffering as he carried out his God given assignment.  As you read the New Testament you see that Paul suffered greatly but he realized it was worth the price as he wrote to the church at Rome,

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  (Romans 8:18)

What would the Apostle Paul say to us?  His letter to the Philippians reveals the destiny God has for you and me,

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,  (Philippians 1:29)

But we don’t like to suffer.  Personally, I like the power of His resurrection but my natural inclination is to avoid the fellowship of His sufferings.  The way of following Jesus however, necessitates the way of suffering,

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.  (Luke 9:23)

Are you facing suffering in your life?  Don’t lose heart.  Scott Peck in The Road Less Traveled, wisely observed,

Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult – once we truly understand and accept it – then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.

We must accept the fact that we will face suffering in our lives.  May the words of the Apostle Peter bring encouragement to your heart,

Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.  (1 Peter 4:19)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

Follow me on twitter:  rickhiggins5