I outgrew my back when I was a child. During one of my childhood growth spurts, I developed persistent back pain that eventually required medical attention. It was determined that my body was growing faster than my back, and that eventually my back would catch up and the pain subside. This eventually proved to be true, but missing a summer of Little League baseball in the process was equally painful.
We call these "growing pains", and growing pains are very much a part of the spiritual growth process:
"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6-7)
The outcome of our faith is "an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4). But, the path to the realization of the goal is often characterized by suffering and pain. "Various trials" sometimes seems like an understatement! I often use the more positive-sounding word, "challenges", but in reality they are the trials and tribulations that stand between us and the blissful existence of the future age to come.
"Various trials" are the refining process that purify us for the kingdom of God, and there are two key components to refining that indicate pain: (1) fire, and; (2) the burning away of impurities. Refining involves a certain degree of loss through a process of pain.
The older I get the more I realize how much more refining is needed in my life (strange; it would seem like we would see a need for LESS refining as we age). Bad habits and selfish traits are much too easily attached to character as we go through life, and require the refining fire of adversity to burn them away so that purer character remains.
The old adage, "no pain, no gain", seems appropriate to spiritual growth as well as physical fitness. The untried life can all too easily grow like cancer, whereas the trials and tribulations of life "train" our lives to grow in a productive and Christ-like way.
I seriously doubt that any reader is today enjoying a trouble-free life. We can easily lament those trials that prevent an idyllic existence, but the better perspective is to see them as valuable refining tools that are preparing us for the perfect life of the age to come.
In light of the process that is preparing us for realization of our great hope, these words from Peter's pen give us the best perspective for living this day:
"prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:13)
Steve
We call these "growing pains", and growing pains are very much a part of the spiritual growth process:
"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6-7)
The outcome of our faith is "an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4). But, the path to the realization of the goal is often characterized by suffering and pain. "Various trials" sometimes seems like an understatement! I often use the more positive-sounding word, "challenges", but in reality they are the trials and tribulations that stand between us and the blissful existence of the future age to come.
"Various trials" are the refining process that purify us for the kingdom of God, and there are two key components to refining that indicate pain: (1) fire, and; (2) the burning away of impurities. Refining involves a certain degree of loss through a process of pain.
The older I get the more I realize how much more refining is needed in my life (strange; it would seem like we would see a need for LESS refining as we age). Bad habits and selfish traits are much too easily attached to character as we go through life, and require the refining fire of adversity to burn them away so that purer character remains.
The old adage, "no pain, no gain", seems appropriate to spiritual growth as well as physical fitness. The untried life can all too easily grow like cancer, whereas the trials and tribulations of life "train" our lives to grow in a productive and Christ-like way.
I seriously doubt that any reader is today enjoying a trouble-free life. We can easily lament those trials that prevent an idyllic existence, but the better perspective is to see them as valuable refining tools that are preparing us for the perfect life of the age to come.
In light of the process that is preparing us for realization of our great hope, these words from Peter's pen give us the best perspective for living this day:
"prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:13)
Steve
posted by steve @ 9:30 AM
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