Losing our foster son last December was a difficult moment in my life, marriage, and family. Our foster son came to us amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The memories of spending “extra” time at home and watching his development was precious. We poured our lives into his life knowing that this could be for “just a time.” As we prepared our hearts during the last few months of his stay with us, the reality of pain slowly began to set in as we endured the loss of our son. He was part of our family and while we knew the day would come, we didn’t realize the extent of pain that would be present from losing him. Please do not misunderstand me… We have been thrilled for his biological mother’s recovery and the ultimate uniting of their family. Yet, the reality of attachment was strong and very present.
In recent months, I have come across a trend within our sphere that seems to want to avoid suffering and brokenness. Comments like: “I could never do that, I would get too attached and could not stand the heartache” OR “why would you want to expose your family to that type of difficulty, heartache, and sin?” These comments are not ill-willed nor are they given with any bad intentions. To be clear, not everyone should pursue foster care. However, I believe that the avoidance of suffering and brokenness in our Christian life does not coincide with the realities of the gospel nor the teaching of the Scriptures. The example of our Saviour Jesus flies in the face of avoiding suffering, brokenness, and sin. As Charles Spurgeon once said speaking to the reality of Hebrews 7:25: “Christ saves the uttermost even to the guttermost.”
Jesus runs to sin, he is drawn to it so that he might save sinners from themselves for His ultimate glory. John 6:37: “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” Like the woman at the well, Jesus seeks out sinners, misfits, outcasts and calls them to repentance and faith. Is that not what he expressed to his disciples in Luke 19:10? He came to save sinners stuck in the mire and brokenness of sin. Those suffering from the consequences of sin.
Should the believer avoid “the bad things” at all costs? Should followers of Jesus walk the other direction and attempt to live a life free of all pain? Certainly, the Prosperity Gospel would promote that reality. Suffering, brokenness, and life disruption are typically not the tools that we would want to use to enact change, yet are continually the instrument that God uses to advance our sanctification. Perhaps that’s why Peter would instruct the church to “think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” Peter says: “Christians, do not act surprised when evil befalls you.” These moments are “refining fire,” opportunities of testing to prove and refine our faith.
So two thoughts:
1) The example of Christ moves toward, sin, suffering, and brokenness.
2) Suffering and brokenness are a reality within the life of the believer.
Are these thoughts to be intertwined?
Well, you be the judge of that… Did Jeremiah need to preach repentance to the nation of Israel? Not really, he could have stood by and decided that it was far too hard to turn the hearts of his wicked countrymen… He could have avoided the difficulty by wrongly inferring that it wasn’t God’s desire for him to go through difficulty. “It’s just not God’s best for me or my family…” Or perhaps consider Jim Elliott, Nate Saint, and Ed MuCully? 66 Years ago today they died for their faith in an Ecuadorian rainforest attempting to reach the Huaorani people with the gospel. Did they need to do that?
As we walk through this life we should venture out to reach those in darkness with Christ-like love and remember to not be surprised when suffering, evil, and brokenness befalls us. As one author says: “God loves us so much that he will spare us nothing to get out of us what he really hates.” Suffering isn’t strange, it isn’t crazy, and it isn’t pointless. If you believe in God there is a point: "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” - 1 Peter 4:19
Sincerely,
Pastor Jordan Kosinski