The Thing About PainSample

The One Big Thing (OBT)

Jesus was God, He could have gone on the cross without feeling any physical pain, more over He endured the emotional agony which was more to Him than the physical pain. Being rejected by His creation, humiliated, spit upon, despised and hated and the big one, He felt the pain of isolation from His Father and being alone naked on the cross. He didn't need to go through those feelings as God but He did, why? because that's the only way He could identify with His creation and say "I know how you feel " “Yep! been there done that"

An excerpt from The Shack revisited - Unlike Adam and Israel, and all of us, the Father’s Son does not run to escape the pain of real relationship. Refusing to pretend that all is well, he embraces the conflict, allowing himself to become the personal target, the scapegoat for all of our pain. He willfully, deliberately, humbly, and astonishingly bows to suffer our loathsome enmity. He takes a dagger to the heart—without ever approving of or agreeing with our dastardly confusion.

He endured it for the joy set before Him. Which brings me to a final thought, If you don't have the one big thing set before you that will fuel joy, you will not be able to endure it. Take time with Daddy and ask Him about that OBT. For Jesus it was you! What is it for you!?

In the Kingdom every end has a new beginning, like in the end there will be a new heaven and a new earth. At the end of our journey we are getting into a new beginning. A wise Aussie man said, The decision you take, is the life you will live. If you are down, gather yourself, if you are haunted by your past, summon courage; in everything, Daddy will give you grace to rise up. You along with Daddy are writing a story of love, humility and courage.

Take this to your heart!