2 Corinthians 11: 21 – 33
Do you ever complain just a little about something you do for God? Maybe it’s the enormous amount of time invested. Or – maybe it’s a task or job that is completely thankless. Maybe you feel invisible. Maybe you wonder occasionally if what you are doing for God even makes a difference. I think we’ve all been there at some point.
It’s at this point I direct you (and me) to the passage today in 2 Corinthians 11. Paul went through so much for the gospel. He endured uncomfortable, painful and demeaning stuff. I don’t think I would make it through some of it. And if I did, I would seriously be reevaluating this following Jesus thing. Getting beat up for Jesus and the gospel – would I be able to withstand this? Oh how I hope I would somehow, with God’s help, find the strength and faith muscle to endure. I honestly don’t know, though. None of us does because we aren’t facing this type of persecution. I pray we never do.
Around the world there are Christians being persecuted, murdered for the faith. Will it come to the United States? I don’t know.
The only thing I do know is this – well, actually two things. 1 – I have no room to complain and 2 – I need to be so firmly grounded in God’s word, so sure of my faith, so close to Jesus, that should severe persecution come to my country, I will be prepared to suffer for the cause of Christ.
So when ministry in any form costs us extra time, effort or humility, we can remember Paul, as well as the persecuted church, and not complain. Our efforts are not in vain. God sees. God knows. God cares.
To God Be The Glory……………………………………