SUFFERING AS PART OF LIFE VOCATION:

SUFFERING AS PART OF LIFE VOCATION:

“It was God’s good pleasure to crush him with pain; if he gives his life as a sin offering he will see his offspring and prolong his life and through him God’s good pleasure will be done” {Isaiah 53:10}

‘…if anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me’ [Lk.9:23]

Since these are derived from the word of God which is eternal (1 Pet.1:25) and will never go unfulfilled in the life of every living soul {Mk.13:31} then why do most preachers/peer groups/societies increase the suicide rate in the world through their preaching of a cross less life to Christians which makes most men/women unable to build a strong shock-absorber for any possible encounter both from the good or bad aspect of life thus would often submit suicide as a way of fleeing a problem or predicaments that resulted from their actions.

Most parents also acquire wealth either by hook or crook for their children hence excusing them from domestic chores and the realities of decision making which will face them somewhere in future with statements like “I suffered too much, my child will not suffer”. This has also increased the rate of suicide and transferred aggression in the world today between families/friends/organizations e.t.c

Anyway, mark the words “Pleasing” and ‘Crush’ in the Isaiah passage {Isaiah 53:10} hence there are sufferings that come from God to test our faith in him just like our fathers were tested (Judith 8:25), our disposition towards this type of suffering as a blessing in disguise {by his suffering shall my servant justify many; Is.53:11} even when there are no physical evidence to trust in God [“though there seemed no hope, he hoped and believed that he was to become father of many nations in fulfillment of the promise: just so will your descendants be” Rom.4:18].

The other type of suffering is the after-effects of our sins; willingly or unwillingly (‘for me everything is permissible; maybe but not everything does good. True, for me everything is permissible but I am determined not to be dominated by anything’ 1 Cor.6:12, “Give in to God, then resist the devil and he will run away from you. The nearer you go to God, the nearer God will come to you…” James 4:7-8) and the effects of the sins already forgiven {“…you were a God of forgiveness to them but punished them for their sins” Ps.99:8, ‘be sure of it, the wicked will not go unpunished…’ Prov.11:21} as well as the effects of silence over other people’s sins [“uprightness makes a nation great, by sin whole races are disgraced” Prov.14:34]. For this type of suffering, God has given us the grace and tools to reduce as well as stop them by developing a hatred for sin in us and others and an ardent desire for righteousness {“you love uprightness and detest evil. This is why God, your God has anointed you with oil of gladness, as none of your rivals” Ps.45:7, Heb.1:9}, ‘proclaim the message and welcome or unwelcome, insist on it. Refute falsehood, correct error, give encouragement – but do all with patience and with care to instruct’ [2 Tim.4:2], (“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, be fearless; speak out and do not keep silence” Acts. 18:9), “By his divine power, he has lavished on us all the things we need for life and for true devotion, through the knowledge of him who has called us by his own glory and goodness” {2 Pet.1:3}

It is in the service of God and neighbor that we actually enjoy the vocation of existing as well as living (‘for the son of man himself came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many’ Mk.10:45) , hence questions like these begins to flow:

What words should I utter to draw a man’s soul closer to God?

What clothes should I wear to promote righteousness in other’s hearts?

What attitude should I put up to win a soul for Jesus?

What Bible passage should I meditate upon for the day while holding unto that day’s prayer intention?

What ritual prayers should I offer to lock the doors of hell and unlock the doors {Isaiah 22:22} of Heaven with the righteousness, grace and mercy therein on earthly souls and purgatorians?

What type of fasting and prayers [Dan.10:12] should I observe for each day other in order draw God’s attention on hardened sinners (Assassins, prostitutes, criminals, heretics, apostates, lesbians, homosexuals, porn-addicts, drug-addicts, rapists, abortion specialist, fashion-maniacs e.t.c)?

In all, do not fear to approach the throne of grace requesting for mercy and to find grace when we are need of help (Heb.4:16) even when we assume our state to be the most pitiable remember “…my grace is enough for you: for power is at full stretch in weakness…” {2 Cor.12:9}.