FAMILY IT! — Wednesday Family Devotional — “Fierce Pursuit”

It's amazing how many different groups we associate ourselves with throughout our lives.  Some are just clubs or groups we’re a part of, but others become so important that they can shape our identity.  We name ourselves by these groups: I am a ____________.  Let me elaborate.

It starts with your family.  You’re a (insert last name here).  I was born a Fredrickson.  Having that name shaped who I was.  Now, I’m an Orwig.  I’m a part of the Orwig family, the one that lives in my house as well as the larger family group.  Of course, I’m still a Fredrickson.  Even though I don’t carry that name any more, I will probably identify with that group as well for the rest of my life.  I was also born an Iowan.  I wore that badge with pride and took great offense at the Iowa jokes my Minnesotan relatives loved to tell.

As I grew, several other categories shaped me.  In high school I was a Marching Lion.  It wasn’t just something I did, it was who I was.  It determined who I hung out, how I spent my time, and what became my priorities.  Then I went to college and was formed by my new titles: Monmouth Scot and Kappa Delta. Today, my group names include wife, mom, homeschooler, and PoC’er.  While I belong to many other clubs and organizations, these are really the ones that influence who I am, my identity.

When we align ourselves with a name, it not only shapes how we see ourselves, it also influences what’s important to us.  For years, I really didn’t care who the governor of Illinois was.  Now that I’m an Illinoisan, I care very deeply.  We celebrate with our group when we have victories, and we cry together when there are struggles.  It’s part of group life.

What are your “labels”?  What groups or titles have shaped who you are, either now or in the past?  Remember these aren’t just clubs you’re a part of; they are those things that influence your identity.

One of the names that may have come up is “Christian.”  This label can mean different things to different people.  When it was first introduced, it was used as a put-down, to insult those who followed the teachings of Jesus.  Since then it has been embraced by generations of believers over two thousand years.  But what does it mean to have that label?  Certainly, it shapes who we are.  We don’t just go to church or recognize that there is a God.  We choose to pattern our lives after Jesus’ life.  We make Him the center of everything we do.  As such, we celebrate when Christ’s cause has a victory.  But we also suffer through the struggles of living like Jesus.  

Peter addresses that very idea.  In 1 Peter 4:16, he writes, “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”  Sometimes we may be hesitant to wear the name “Christian.”  It’s not a popular name in our culture, or even the world.  It brings insults, sacrifice, dirty looks, and judgmentalism at times.  I’m so glad Peter reminds us that we don’t need to be ashamed, that we should be praising God that we can be called Christians.

Does your family claim the name Christian?  Does it shape who you are as a family?  If so, how?  Talk about how your beliefs are shaping your family.  What are you doing differently because you’re Christians.

If not, what’s holding you back?  Talk about these things as a family.  Are you willing to take that step and claim your faith?  

End your time together praising God for sending his Son so that we would all have the chance to be Christians.

FAMILY IT! — Wednesday Family Devotional — “Fierce Pursuit”

What is your stance on suffering?  Take a minute and do a quick survey around the circle: who enjoys suffering and who is not that fond of it?  Just a one-word response from everyone.  I’ll wait.

I’m guessing you got a pretty unanimous response, and it didn’t even require a lot of thought to get there.  Just about every sane person in the world prefers the suffering-free times of life over those seasons that are chock full of trials and difficulties.  We don’t like to struggle.  Duh.  It’s a no-brainer kind of answer, right?  I mean, we may like a good challenge once in awhile, but that’s different from suffering.  Pain, sacrifice, struggle—they just sound like bad ideas. 

But have you noticed that, when it’s important enough, human beings will not only endure suffering, they’ll sign up for it!  Athletes undergo arduous training to prepare for a major competition, or even just to get better.  Med students cope with agonizing hours of studying and never-ending shifts in the quest to become a doctor.  I bet you’ve done it, too.  You stayed up late every day for a week finishing that final project and earning a gratifying A.  Your family scrimped and saved, sacrificing time together so that Mom or Dad could work extra shifts and be able to afford that long-awaited Disney vacation.

You see, we’re ok with suffering when the goal is something we value.  Why then do we get so troubled when we encounter trials during out relationship with Jesus?  When life’s circumstances take a turn, when everything seems to be collapsing at once, we suddenly think God’s abandoned us.  We need to remember: suffering is part of a life of faith.

Take a look at what Peter says in his first letter: “My friends, don’t be surprised at the painful things that you are now suffering, which are testing your faith. Don’t think that something strange is happening to you. But you should be happy that you are sharing in Christ’s sufferings. You will be happy and full of joy when Christ shows his glory.” (1 Peter 4:12-13, ERV)

We may not like it, but Peter’s words make total sense.  If we live in a world with a clear enemy (Satan), and that enemy is working full time to overthrow the God we serve, then when we enter into relationship with that same God, we should expect to end up in the enemy’s cross-hairs.  Of course he’s going to try to turn our lives upside down.  His goal is to distract or derail us to keep us from being effective for God.  Jesus Himself reminded us that in this world we would have troubles.  So we shouldn’t be surprised when painful things come our way.

 In fact, Peter takes it one step farther by saying we should actually be happy.  I know what you’re thinking.  Expecting suffering is one thing.  Not being surprised when it happens, ok.  But being happy about it?  If you had your heart set on being an Olympic swimmer, you would relish the thought of doing the same back-breaking training as Michael Phelps.  You would be doing the exact same things he did, sweating and aching, all to be like the great swimmer.  In that same spirit, can we change our perspective when it comes to spiritual suffering?  

Knowing what our Lord and Savior did for us, the degree to which He suffered so that we would know eternal life, can we be content to suffer along side Him?  After all, suffering through training may get you a gold medal, and suffering through studies could earn you awesome grades and the career of your dreams.  But suffering with Christ gives you a front row seat to the amazing things Jesus is doing in this world, transforming lives and preparing people for a life of forever joy in heaven.  That’s suffering that leads to the best end goal!

Think right now.  How is your family already suffering for Jesus?  What sacrifices and difficulties have you gone through?  Now, what can you and your family do to prepare for the painful things that will continue to come?  Can you share more about the struggles and pray with and for each other?  Will it help your family to chart victories so you can focus on the blessings that come as a result of the struggles?  Maybe you will choose to focus on Peter’s charge to be “happy and full of joy” by celebrating the struggles when they come.  “We must be doing something right, because the enemy is firing another painful dart in our direction!”

If suffering is a part of life with Jesus, then let’s grab it by the horns.  Let’s amp up and be ready for it so that nothing—I mean NOTHING—will throw us off the path to glory!