The views expressed below are those of the writer and may not reflect the views of Rejoice Marriage Ministries or the Steinkamps.
Men, has the Lord placed a devotional on your heart that you would like to share with other standers?
Imagine if you were an Olympic athlete. If you were asked to be the torch bearer to light the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony, would you refuse?
I love the teachings of the late Ravi Zacharias. He summarized why he believed in Jesus in this talk. The third reason he gave was “His equipment in suffering.” He said, “Suffering is a real part of life, and we feel it again and again. Pain is a terrible thing, and you take that pain into your heart. It becomes almost unbearable at that point, and life is punctuated by suffering. Through the process of suffering, you realize how finite you are and how desperately you need the presence of God to carry you through it. Christ in you is that hope of glory. Christ in you can turn the darkest disappointments into His appointment.”
God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27
When my wife and I first went to China, we befriended the mom of an international student that we ministered to at UC San Diego. The mom received the gospel well and quickly became a Christian. Unfortunately soon after, she was diagnosed with cancer. She underwent chemo and radiation. Instead of saving her life, the treatments probably accelerated her death. I remember the many visits we made in the hospital, and each was signified by her smiles and her joy in the Lord. No doubt she wanted to live. No doubt she cried many tears. No doubt she wanted her miracle healing, but in the even though, she was still a shining bright light in that somber place.
I never forgot the impression our friend’s mom left in my heart. Now that many years have gone by, I do see what Ravi taught, that suffering is real and that Jesus is the only one that can carry us through the suffering, and not only carry us through, but make us shine brightly. I believe through suffering that God has given us an Olympic size torch, an ability to make us shine for Christ brighter than ever before. Ever since I became a Christian at 17, I wanted to live my life for Christ. Little did I know that suffering gives us the ability to live for Christ like nothing else can.
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life… But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.” ~ Phil 2:14-18, NIV
Though my wife was the best Christian I knew and that she and I served the Lord faithfully in China for 20 years, she left me for another man and divorced me soon after. My pain made me searching and looking for answers. Praying to God every day, reading the Bible, buying Christian books, listening to sermons and worship songs. The answer I was looking for never came. I don’t have promises of marriage restoration. Instead Jesus is asking me what I would do with this torch that He has given me. In my even though, I want to surrender my life, my little torch. I want to live completely for You Lord, shine Your Glory.
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.” ~ Habakkuk 3:17-19, NIV
Lorden in Colorado
