Memory Verse

Every week I memorize a verse or two of scripture from Bethlehem Baptist's (John Piper) scripture memory system. This week's verse: "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." This leads me to two struggles. First, in America, where God in His sovereignty has placed me, I do not suffer for being a follower of Christ. I really do not suffer period. Secondly, it says to glorify God in the name "Christian". I normally shy away from that title because of the gross misunderstandings associated with it, but it seems to me that this passage says to embrace suffering on the account of that name. So here is the first question...could the negative thoughts toward the name Christian be suffering? If so, it sure doesn't seem very hard to suffer because I (and millions of other Americans) have no problem embracing the name. I do not think the name is the heart of the issue.

I am also reading through the last chapter of Piper's book Desiring God which just so happens to be on suffering. He makes the case from scripture that Paul chose a life of suffering to bear the name of Christ and I agree. He also makes a case from scripture that no suffering we could experience on earth can compete with the treasure of being with Christ in heaven...again no argument here. My dilemma comes when I consider my life of little to no suffering. I did not choose suffering to become a Christian. That's the sort of stuff you read about in India or Afghanistan or China, but not in America; America is God's country. You do not suffer for being a Christian in America. In fact, we live in a country where you can smoke pot to ease the pain of cancer (I am not making a judgment, just reinforcing a point.). We hardly suffer for anything in America. How do we choose suffering in American culture Christianity?

I've said all that to say this: I do not believe there is a lack of suffering in our culture; I believe there is a lack of Christians. Maybe it's the fact that you would have to get out a microscope to see my faith. Or maybe it's because I only half-heartedly embrace Jesus although I claim to love Him with my whole heart. Some of my close friends often ask the question, "What does a Christian in America look like?" and truthfully I am not sure I have ever met one. I am so far from where I need to be spiritually that it is sickening. I do not desire and love God above all things. My heart is hard and cold and I do not love like He loves.

My only encouragement in times like these is that the disciples didn't seem to get it until after Jesus' ascension and they walked with Him. He did not lose one of them and they ended up living, suffering, and dying for His glory.

My prayer right now is this: "Lord, give me a heart for you. A heart of passion that will sell everything (American materialism) to follow you. Lord give me a taste of your infinite value so that I will crave nothing else. Jesus I want to know you and the power of your resurrection, and may share in your sufferings, becoming like you in death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."

I'll be honest, this prayer both excites and scares me and I am not sure that I truly invite suffering, but I do long to know Jesus. So if that invites suffering may I go on rejoicing that I was counted worthy to suffer for the name.