On suffering
You know how we always think that it's so hard to do the right thing because it involves so much sacrifice and means we'll have to suffer?
In contrast, sin, as we know, is enjoyable - otherwise we wouldn't do it. That's why it's so tempting.
Yet sin demands its own price. We just don't think of it as suffering; we think of it as a "consequence". But isn't it a form of suffering?? After all, it's both painful and hard to bear.
Therefore, as my pastor pointed out yesterday morning, we're going to have to suffer, whether or not we choose to sin. It's just a matter of whether we suffer now as we choose to do what's right, or sin first and suffer later.
Hmmm. What a choice, eh?
I never quite saw it that way before. "You will have to suffer," he said. "But what will you choose to suffer for?"
From this perspective, sin's lure kind of palls. We're enticed by the ease and enjoyment sin offers, and sometimes even if we weigh the temporary pleasure against the eventual cost, the pleasure seems worth it to us.
But if you see that you are going to have to suffer anyway, then what's the point of suffering for the wrong? It's a suffering that leaves the taste of ashes in your mouth. The fun is over, now the pain starts. Now you pay.
Compare that to suffering for doing what's right, which is a purposeful suffering, one that can see past the present troubles and see the "crown of righteousness" (II Timothy 4:8) that awaits.
As my pastor said, as humans we are inclined to sin. It's a major part of our human nature. Therefore, we need to counter this: we need to incline ourselves to something else.
Of course, the big answer is God. But how? Perhaps, by inclining ourselves to suffering. "Embrace the suffering," my pastor said.
At first glance, that seems almost sick - to welcome and enjoy suffering. But no. What he was talking about is to have a willingness to go through suffering for the glory that will come after.
Sounds like a good idea to me. :)
NB. I posted this yesterday but for some reason it didn't appear on the blog...