Early on at All Nations Bible College, whilst attending lectures on the New Testament, our lecturer drew our attention to the subject of suffering. Often in Christian life I had thought if life wasn’t going well, I must be doing something wrong or something must be amiss. However it became apparent that I had missed a fundamental teaching of the being a Christian, Jesus never promised an easy ride. ‘Enter the narrow gate’ really should have been a clue to me but how often do we really reflect on the fact we have chosen a difficult path to tread as Christians?
It seems obvious now; Christians live lives going against the natural worldly flow. Rather than life being all about what you can get, it becomes all about what you can give. Rather than it being all about it me it becomes all about you (serving God and serving others). Rather than aiming to climb the ladder of success, we aim to climb the ladder to heaven. We swim against a tide of selfishness. We stand up against injustice and speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves. Christians mix things up and if we are anything like our Master Jesus, we challenge the norms of society and cause conflict to arise.
Being different is never easy and choosing to live a different life is equally uncomfortable at times. Not just for those who choose to walk it but for those who watch it. However putting aside the implications of being a Christian, it has to be said that sometimes life is just not easy whoever you are. Christians are not immune to life’s difficulties; we don’t get a special pass to prevent pain and suffering. Though it’s good to remember we do have a God who walks with us through the valleys and deserts of life.
On the mission field, life does bring unavoidable challenges. Our living space and lifestyle can be radically different to what we are used to. Living cross-culturally can be stressful and being away from family and friends is tough. However acknowledging all these things, we have to ask the question, ‘Did Jesus call us to an easy life?’ I think you know the answer.
Therefore we have to acknowledge, in response; that it is actually okay to experience challenges, feelings of discomfort and hardship. That’s not to say we have to cope with it all alone. We are not called to a mission of silence. It’s important to share our experiences, to have someone to talk to when life is hard and pray for us. We should be sharing the load with those back home, who can support us, lift us up in prayer and offer encouragement on the rough road we tread. Equally it’s good to return the support and prayers, asking how things are back in our passport country and pray for them too!
So today, remembering perseverance and patience, we add to them the expectation that life may not always be easy. And as we experience challenges and difficulties – we can still praise him who called us through the narrow gate and ask for his grace to sustain us on the road which at times can be rocky.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.’ Matthew 7:13-14
