Learning patience. Is learning trust, too. And dependence.
Because, humanly speaking (regarding fallen nature, rather), I want to know the end at the beginning. Part of wanting to be as God.
But, realistically, that's just not even feasible. We're not infinite. We're not eternal. We don't have perfect understanding. And our very perspective is so limited as part of being a created, finite being that it's just impossible for us to perceive all things as would be required to comprehend all things as unto the ending.
But, still, the lie that I need to know how a particular matter will "end" is especially tempting. I don't need to know what will become of me. I don't need to know what the Lord has in store for me. If I did, He would have been more specific to us all when making it plain that He has "plans for good" for us and that "all things work to good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." He would have given specifics rather than calling us to look to who He is and how He is and what His will toward us is, if He intended us to know each bit rather than intending us to trust Him. To wait and walk by faith in Him, rather than faith in our understanding.
Thing is, if I don't have peace in the Lord now during the uncertainties...I'll be just as prone to fall away to temptation to be anxious and unrested in Him when things are perceived as "known." The latter just being something of a further delusion, is all--except that He periodically and sometimes gives specific revelation regarding the way a particular matter will go, we just tend to equate apparent consistency in circumstance (i.e., routine) as being of a "known." But it's not the full truth of the matter regarding what all is going on at any particular instance, is the thing--we're all, who are in Christ, in a battle. We are not disjointed from the rest of the body, no matter how insular or isolated or disconnected we may seem in our own perception of our realm in terms of the whole of reality. That's pretty clear, given the terminology of us being "a body" and each being "parts" and there being absurdity for an eye or ear or however to lament not being a foot, or vice-versa as was used. And also regards referring to us collectively as The Bride. We each are the bride, and yet we are a collective whole, too, in Christ. Unified in Him and the Father, then unified amongst ourselves as well. Or not unified with Him at all, in other words.
So there's an especially weird disconnect evidenced unto me, per the Lord's grace to observe, when we pray for persecution elsewhere while being utterly blind to our own. And this is a very dicey prospect to discuss, given fallen nature's tendency to compare ills as though striving to be "winner" of experienced griefs, to trump all others with revelation of the greatest atrocity endured...while unconsciously undermining the griefs of all by at the least striving to place oneself alongside as equal, if unable to "win" the game. The things endured are grievous. The persecutions each to each and on the whole are not to be discounted or undermined.
But are we perceiving reality or simply bolstering our own sense of purpose by attempting also to take on the persecutions of another to gain sympathy, ourselves? This, too, is a mire.
Rather, can we not seek the Lord give us ability to perceive the condition of our brothers and of ourselves without some sort of worked up emotionalism...but instead with true empathy, compassion, and honest submission to Himself, of the while? We are to grieve with those who grieve, and we are to rejoice with those who rejoice. There's honesty there. Sincerity implied. Not the adoption of emotions, but the love of another sufficient to prompt genuine concern for their lot...unto grief or rejoicing, even, as the case may be.
He's the only One who can effect that, in a world so geared toward self-obsession and self-consumption. Self-awareness, moreover: Mindfulness to the extent of attempting objectivity rather than experience.
Unto disconnect from reality, in so many senses.
And the confounding thing along those lines, in terms of modern western appraisal of such disconnect is that "dissociation"--which indicates development of excessively disconnected perception of self from reality as to be effectively detached from reality--is utterly rife, given we're all so willfully disjointed from and irreverent of our Creator God (who is our constant sustainer and provider) that dissociation is actual par for course of living in our society and yet we only diagnose as ill those who are so dissociated from reality in capacities and to degrees as make interaction along societally accepted norms impossible...and along those lines there's increasing tendency to view Christ's own, who believe and trust in God, as delusional and dissociated from reality. This, amongst those increasing and vocal many who are realistically the most deluded.
How much sense does it make for someone professing atheistic beliefs to attempt to diagnose someone else of being dissociated from reality?, is the point. There's a blatant and vital detachment from reality to adopt that stance, is the thing, yet it's increasingly an accepted perspective...as somehow valid.
And that's the world we live in, in the west. Where control is expected and sought daily, of all things. We are perceived as having freedom to create our own reality and to be absolutely anything we want to be (including becoming "dragons," becoming "babies," becoming paraplegic, or whatsoever else we each deem desirable--entirely without regard for our design and created order). And rage is so present and barely restrained that an any instant, if we refuse to cower or compromise, we could be assaulted. I've had it happen once, regarding refusal to back down about being the Lord's and not needing nor wanting a man because of being Christ's.
And even if there's not physical assault, the spiritual onslaught is absurd. So I just don't understand why folks are so blind to these things.
The "persecution" here isn't generally physical. But where there's honest attempt to honor God and walk in His ways, there are spiritual forces that contract to attempt to not only intimidate but also destroy. All in the midst of a society which refuses to acknowledge spiritual reality, as a general rule. Even unto questioning a person's sanity if there's belief in the spiritual.
If we feel safe in this world (except for of Christ, that is), we're deluded, is the point. And I hear from those who attempt to make a case for us as Christ's having some overt directive to conquer the world and take back what's been stolen, and such like. But I don't see that in Scripture. What I do see is that we can expect suffering, even as the judgment of God begins with His own people--unto our refinement and even unto drawing many to salvation in Christ (the Pilot of our salvation: the wrath of God against sin was made evident and satisfied upon and by Him).
And what I do read is that we who are the called are called to share in Christ's sufferings. Period.
No way around that.
For Him to say we've gotta take up our cross and follow Him?...keeping in mind: this was said well before He was crucified and thus was probably taken as some sort of very strange reference to a method of torturous death and humiliation as was considered utterly and totally inconceivable to be referenced in any literal capacity...much as it's often considered, nowadays.
But His actual experience of carrying a cross unto death (and resurrection, we must not forget) was literal, thereafter. Which doesn't indicate literal crucifixion for everyone who follows after Him, but in keeping with the all of how He speaks and spoke...does indicate clearly that we will share in something of that same crucifixion experience in a very real capacity, parallel. Because He said what He said for a reason. And He told us to take up our cross if we're going to follow Him.
Paul even said he was crucified with Christ. Daily dying, even. That's not insignificant, coming from someone who was given of God to explicitly instruct others to follow after him in the same manner as he follows/followed after Christ.
And Jesus said we are to take up our crosses. Anyone who intends to follow Him must take up their own cross. Period. If we're going to follow Him, that is.
But if we know Him and trust Him and believe Him and walk with Him, we won't fear these things of persecution and rejection and pain (increasingly freed from fears, at least, as we increasingly come to know and rely upon God) because we will know that He guides and gives strength and/or provision for every step along the way. And it is merciful that we should experience these things now, unto salvation--children are chastised, as it were--rather than being let to slide through this life remaining given to our delusions, refusing Him and despising Him.
We are all in active warfare, though. Just on varied fronts, in varied ways. And if we aren't engaged in active battle, then where have we come to rest? Not to say the Lord doesn't provide and ensure times of respite. He certainly does. And blessed, sweet fellowship.
But we tend, humanly and of the fallen carnal nature, to stray from Him and become complacent and self-indulgent when we're not actively striving. Happened to the Israelites, and they've been given us as foremost portrait of His people and what it is to walk with Him.
Just, we all need prayer. Hearts breaking for one another. Aching, knowing the suffering--physical and mental and social...are foremost spiritual--being endured by many of our brethren, worldwide. But if we know Him, we know that He gives grace sufficient to endure, comfort in the midst of chaos. He is the peace in the storm. So we can pray even as we know He is true to Himself and will help in whatsoever ways necessary those who are His--abundantly so. Such sweet fellowship, in the midst of suffering, too. He is so gracious.
So long as we turn to Him.
So let us turn to Jesus, individually and collectively. And abide in His love.
He will give grace to endure whatever He places in front of us. Even as a testimony and evidence of the truth of who He is. Even as Paul suffered multiple stonings, beatings, rejection, mockery, and ultimately was beheaded, then, too, I know He'll give grace for brothers and sisters enduring much the same. And will give such peace in His presence as usurps the fear and pain.
God is kind, is the thing. We are not.
And we're actively being pressed on all sides by an unseen enemy that wants only to steal, kill, and destroy. So much greater the need to rely on Jesus, foremost and wholly! Much greater the need to seek to know Him and walk in the light of truth.
He can and will do this, as we seek Him and draw near to Him.
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