So, How was YOUR day?

There it was tucked away in a book.
I must have put it there the day I received it.
It was a Thinking Of You card that my friend sent to me.
The words impacted me so I put the card in a book for safe keeping.

I had not thought about the card until this morning.
During my quiet time, I read the same words in the Bible that were on the card.
The verses triggered the memory of the card and my friend who sent it.

Five times, I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea, and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep, I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food…(2 Corinthians 11:24-27)

Those verses were on the front of the card.
I remember reading them on the day I got the card in the mail.
I was confused as to why these words were on a Thinking Of You card.

Then I opened the card.

So, how was YOUR day?

It made me laugh.
It changed my perspective.

We encounter people all day long, some are lovely, some are difficult.
Do we really know what they are going through?
Do we really know their story?

We grumble and complain about things that do not matter.
We want ease and smooth sailing in our lives.
We expect God to give it to us.
We have lost our perspective.

Our brothers and sisters in the Lord are suffering for Christ all over the world.
And we yawn.
Men and women of God are being tortured and persecuted for their faith.
And we grumble because our favorite team lost the night before.

Bible studies go underground in nations that hate the Gospel.
And we can’t seem to find time in our busy schedule to attend one.
Villagers walk miles to go to a church service in the oppressive heat of the day.
And we struggle when the sermon goes over thirty minutes.

So, how was YOUR day?

If we are in Christ, we think that we should be healthy, wealthy, and stress free.
Often, we find that we are sick, poor, and under much pressure.
And we don’t understand; we ask, Why?

Paul, who met the Lord on the road to Damascus, suffered much for the name of Jesus.
Paul used to be the one to inflict suffering on the people of God.
As Christians we are called to suffer for the name of Jesus, because we are called to share in Jesus’ suffering.

But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:13)

We think that if we are suffering, we must have done something wrong.
That thinking is part of the old equation, the formula followed under the law.
If I’m good, God will bless me.
If I’m bad, God will curse me.
That logic makes perfect sense in our limited, finite mind.

Except it is 100% wrong!
We have example after example of righteous people suffering for God and His Word.
The prime example of an innocent man suffering is found in Jesus.
God allowed His Son to die a criminal’s death on the cross.
He died in the place of the real criminals: YOU and ME!

The Perfect One in place of the imperfect.
The Sinless One in place of the sinner.
The Righteous One in place of the unrighteous.

So, how was YOUR day?

In Christ, your day is splendid even when it is terribly hard.
Terribly hard is only temporary.
Splendid lasts through all eternity.

We have no cause to grumble.
We have no excuse to yawn.
We have no reason for not studying God’s Word.
We have nothing so pressing to do that we cannot sit through a sermon.

Bad things happen to God’s people.
Sin is part of our fallen world.
Suffering is part of our fallen world.
But we have a Sovereign God who suffered and who understands.

Jesus told us to expect this.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
(John 16:33)

Victorious Jesus who suffered, died, was buried, and rose again.
Victorious Jesus who now sits at the right hand of His Father.
Victorious Jesus who promises to come back for His people.
Victorious Jesus who keeps His promises.

So, how was YOUR day?

 

 

2 responses to “So, How was YOUR day?”

1. Nicely said ! Just the reminder I needed today. Thank you for the inspiration.

   Reply

   • Maria,
     I needed the reminder as well!
     Enjoy this SPLENDID day!
     Gina

     Reply