1 Peter 4:13
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you many be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.
I am humbled by this verse and not the least bit qualified to even speak on its behalf....
Christ has blessed us beyond measure....beyond measure. In 2002 when we were decided to come to this country called Nicaragua, we had no idea how our lives would be impacted...changed in an instant. God gave us a glimpse of the future land that He would call us to.... From 2002-2007, He allowed us the privilege to return again and again, each time reaffirming the call...each time leaving a part of it seemed my very soul when I would leave.... Then in 2007, it stopped. We spent the years from 2007-2011 being prepared....we didn't know that at the time but there was strengthening in those trials....and we were changed. We didn't know at the time that He was preparing us to live here during those times....it might have been so much easier (in human hindsight, yes?) to have walked through Travis almost dying, Slaton being born 3 months premature, my mother's diagnosis and death to cancer...all happening amidst life..if we might have known that Nicaragua was the plan....that in 2012 we were going to be given the opportunity to move here....to serve Him here....but He had a plan and He saw the big picture the whole time.
Our serving here..is not a sacrifice in our mind...not at all but rather the greatest privilege that we have ever known.
We, as humans, don't have the big picture...we have what we can see for today...this instant...and even that isn't always a clear picture but rather a picture seen through our perspective. We have no idea what the future will hold....we have conjecture, hope and dream....but the reality is He knows....we do not. It is a world that if you are not a believer you will have much difficulty even fathoming...a world that you can finally say...I live for today and today alone. God prepares tomorrow....not I.
Our son, Slaton, has Aspergers and one of the traits that he has is that he thinks that you are thinking as he is...so if he thinks something, it is so. Not exactly. Just because he thought that he wanted a glass of chocolate milk doesn't mean that I should be handing him one...and we work on this..making him aware that the reality is not what he simply thinks. And the same is true, I'm afraid, for us.....the reality of our world is not what we simply think it should be....it is what it is. Period. Sure, we can plan, day dream, plot and make elaborate themes....but reality is that we must hold all of this loosely knowing that our blueprints are our human desires...not reality. And we mustn't be let down when they don't come to fruition......
When we suffer for Him, we suffer knowing that He will be revealed. Not if He does, not maybe...but that He will be revealed. Our brothers and sisters in Christ who lay down their very lives for Him know the ultimate earthly price...and, yet, this is where we find the body of Christ growing..not waning. This is where we find Truth being held as the most treasured prize....not in lukewarm gratitude.
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