called to suffer: One Year Bible Reading for October 23

 Today we read these verses in the One Year Bible:

Jeremiah 42:1-44:23
2 Timothy 2:1-21
Psalm 92:1-93:5
Proverbs 26:3-5

Let's look at 2 Timothy. Paul says something that modern Christians don't like to hear. He says, "Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ." What? Suffering? Didn't Jesus suffer so we don't have to? Um, no. 

That's a popular sentiment among some churches today. That since Jesus suffered on the cross and died for our sins, we don't have to. But that's not what Jesus said. He said take up your cross (that doesn't mean wear a little silver one around your neck!) and follow Him. That's not what Paul says. He says join him in suffering! That's not what St Therese of Lisieux said. She said that to be a saint (which is what we are ALL called to do), you must suffer greatly. I recommend reading her little book Story of a Soul, which you can read for free right here.

Now, the good news is you don't have to go looking for suffering. It'll come to you! Step right up, suffering for everyone. Just make sure that when suffering DOES find you, you allow it to do its work. Suffering will make all of us better people, make us into saints, as long as we allow it to. Don't let it make you bitter.

God, thanks for calling us to suffering - for a very good reason.