[Discoveries] 03-22-07 Room in our hearts

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*Make room for us in your hearts. -- 2 Corinthians 7:2*/

The apostle Paul didn't drive a fancy car. He didn't have a limo pick 
him up at the airport. Read through the New Testament -- in many ways he 
was unimpressive. People slept through his sermons. Some mistook him for 
the sidekick, the entertainment before the main act.

If he were around today, I doubt he would get much slick magazine 
coverage. I expect many would ignore him altogether.

Sure, the Lord did miracles through him, but, when he went to defend 
himself, he barely mentions the dozens (probably hundreds) of miracles 
the Lord did through him. Instead, he focuses on the hardships and 
troubles he endured.

He was a great man of God not because he saw visions, or healed people, 
or because he knew his Bible backwards and forwards. He was a great man 
of God because he suffered well. His possessions, his reputation, his 
comforts, his sleep, his health, his freedoms, his friends -- everything 
you and I cherish were torn away from him. Yet he found the grace of God 
and remained kind, joyful, gentle, caring and focused on pleasing Jesus 
Christ.

Why does God want us to make room in our hearts for those who suffer? I 
think it's because in suffering the wheat and the chaff are separated, 
and what is both endearing and enduring remains.

If Christ hadn't suffered, there would be no triumph in our faith. We 
would merely have another theology to compete with all the other voices 
on Mars Hill. But Christ did suffer and overcame, and one of the ways we 
can remember and honor Him during Easter week is to remember our 
brothers and sisters who suffer.

We hurt with them, but we also know that another triumph is in the making.

Be encouraged!
Dwight


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