The ouch of belonging

‘You will be handed over by your parents, your brothers and sisters, your relatives, and your friends; and some of you will be put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a single hair from your heads will be lost. Stand firm, and you will save yourselves.’ (verses 16-19)

Read Luke 21:5-19

The challenge of this reading is in realising that when you stand true to Jesus Christ you will experience difficulties because of who and what you are. Some of the difficulties will be among those near to you, who may not understand wholehearted devotion to the Lord. You will experience difficulties even in church relationships. The pain of such encounters will cause you to wince: ‘Ouch, that hurts!’

Following Jesus costs. But so does a brand-new car. You know, the one you bring home all shiny and take your family and friends out to exult over. You don’t seem to count that cost. You accept it. It goes with the deal. You can forget the cost, even though the payments have to be made to the last cent.

As surely as we know that this is a puny comparison we can know that surrendering our lives totally to the Lord will result in hardship in relationships. It is a joy to bring his love to such situations, knowing that we will be safe and secure in his care.

Dear Lord, walk with me each day. When I meet hostility and resentment because I am your child, I rejoice that you are there to save and bless. Amen.

by Eunice Freiberg in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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