Will you follow Jesus, even into the valley of suffering? Dear Friends of Mission of Joy— What a strange question to ask? I’m not sure I ever heard a sermon on this subject. The one thing Jesus asked of those who sought eternal life was “Follow Me.” A rich man sought Jesus asking him to inherit eternal life. Jesus looked at him with LOVE! Then he looked into his heart and told him, “One thing you lack. Go your way, sell whatever you have and give it to the poor. Then you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, take up your cross and follow me.”(Mark 10:17-21) So what does that have to do with you? With me? Do you think what Jesus told that rich man doesn’t apply to us? Each of us have areas that God wants to make pleasing in His sight. What tempts me may not tempt you, and what tempts you may not tempt another. But be sure that the Lord will also look into your heart, and the very thing that is separating you from Him, He will require you to give up or give away. I have found that the longer I walk with Jesus, the less He talks to me about blessings and the more He speaks to me of suffering. It is where the battle really takes place—not on the hills of sunshine and blessing, but in the depths of darkness in the valley of suffering. Still, He calls us to follow Him wherever He leads, and offer up whatever He asks of us. No matter what you hear in this world, hear His eternal words. “Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Mt 10:38) Where has the Lord been leading you? Does it seem hard, maybe impossible? Consider this—It pleased God to cause Jesus to suffer so that He might be an offering for sin. (Is 53:10) If He didn’t keep His own son out of the valley of suffering, should we expect Him to spare us? I have found that as God has safely led me, even in the valley of suffering, He has drawn me intimately closer to Him than I ever knew was possible. That is why we draw near to those who suffer—the orphan and widow—and we praise God that you also share in their distress. We could turn away from such pain and suffering. Our world seems so full of it, that we could despair of ever making a difference. But then, He doesn’t ask us to make a difference, He just calls us to follow Him wherever He leads. I do not think we will be ashamed to face Him on that soon coming day, if we have done so. May He strengthen you daily as you faithfully serve Him. In the end, He is our only Hope.
