Suffering is an invitation from God to know his Son better – only in the fellowship of suffering do you come to know Jesus intimately.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada. You know, sermons and books and Bible studies will tell us about Jesus, but when we suffer, suddenly we realize we need more. When we are hurting and in need of hope, handling theological ideas won’t do. Suffering has a way of taking life out of the abstract and the theoretical, and it makes it painfully concrete. When things are rosier, we may slide by with knowing about the Person of the Lord Jesus. And it might suffice to merely imitate him or quote him or speak about him. But only in the fellowship of suffering will we know Jesus intimately. So if God is asking you to become part of the fellowship of sharing in his Son’s sufferings, don’t resist him. Don’t question him. Because in your hardship, God is inviting you to know – and I mean really know – his Son Jesus in a way that’s wonderful.
© Joni and Friends