Endurance Pt2

Romans 5:3-5 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

A few months ago, I posted about this idea that endurance is not so much a stretching of what I am capable of as it is a stretching of what I believe. 

The whole point was that, when I find myself in the trials of life, if I will stay focused on God instead of trying to control and change the circumstance on my own, the result is a deeper and more meaningful trust in God's timing and provision. That is the endurance that I believe Paul is talking about in Romans 5. 

The faith that is built during those sufferings is what will transfer into action based on that belief (character)… 

The difference today is in the definition of suffering.

The whole premise of the last blog came from the reality of the trials that we face in our lives; and let me reaffirm that I believe this is still very true and applicable. Trials will come in each of our lives, and we can choose to try to control the situations in our own strength; or we can bring our needs to God, waiting for His voice and hand.

A couple of weeks ago, I was smacked in the face with a different revelation of this Scripture. I was reading an interview, and the assertion was made that the cross is the place of ultimate suffering- and it hit me: When I come to the cross- the place of ultimate suffering- my faith is increased. 

Here's the difference between the 2 ideas: The first is a trial that comes to me. It is something that I would not necessarily choose to have take place in my life. It is also a finite thing. Trials have a beginning and they have an end. This is significant because if I could only increase my endurance through a trial (a finite thing), then I would only be able to increase my faith during those times… and that is assuming I succeed in keeping my eyes on Him in every trial that comes my way.

Conversely, I can come to the cross anytime. In fact, I believe it is possible to live a life that is constantly at the cross. To come to the cross is to bring my mind and my soul to a place where I am focused on the Person that died there, and rose again. It is to meditate on what the cross means to me… and it is to simply spend time with the Lover of my soul.

Lord, teach me to abide at Your feet. Teach me to stay in the place where I can hear Your voice adjusting my perspective to meet Yours. Teach me to abide in the rest and the grace that You sacrificed so much for. Teach me to come to the cross.