some thoughts from a recent paper
Does it seem incredibly ridiculous to anyone else that the call to joy would be found in suffering? How can it be so? And yet, living in the upside down kingdom of this God I try to serve, I have heard this reminder, this admonition even, many times. I must admit, there is a particularly painful scratch in those words, “joy in suffering”, as I continue to wrestle with the death of my dear friend. How can it be that God is inviting me into the making of my soul by way of something which seems only to tear my soul apart?
Alan Jones (1985, p. 187) says “we prevent our own healing when we misrepresent what is going on inside us, and lie to ourselves”.
How can we learn to give and experience love? Jones (1985, p.199) finds the answer in the trinity, in the paradoxical passion of God: “the work of Redemption is to restore the pattern of the Trinity in us so that we love in a way that is not disordered or out of tune”. It is in these contradictory experiences of God as one and as three, as sufferer and as lover, that we can begin to know as “a process of participation in the life of another” (Jones, 1985, p.198). And so, rather than misrepresent what is going on inside of us, we must engage our struggle with knowing a God who brings to our lives joy and suffering together. We must, like the Psalmist, agonize over what seems so senseless and even cruel, while at the same time remembering the redemptive acts of this crazy upside down God we try to follow. It is there that we will find, and in turn be able to offer, healing.
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You so accurately describe what I feel. Romans 11:32 says, "For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all." I would even venture to say that He lets us suffer so He can comfort us.
Not an important comment, but can you use a font easier for the visually impaired? Cause I really want to read your posts?
Thank you!
I wonder if the essence isn't the simple admission that we are not in control? God doesn't do it like we would. We secretly think that is a problem. I am still learning about this. Much love, Dad
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