Suffering Embraced; Salvation Gained

"Hence I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control. Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me as his prisoner, but take your share of suffering for the gospel in the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, and now has manifested through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought lift and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, and therefore I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me." 

2 Timothy 1:6-12

God's mission is one that calls for suffering. It is part and parcel of the mission. Paul was appointed and it was precisely because of his calling that he had to suffer as he did. Not in spite of it, but as a result of it. Paul wore that suffering proudly, for he believed in the promise of the Lord. It was also in his most trying periods that he was able to write the words that inspired so many early Christians.

Lord, grant me that same faith that Paul had. Give the me the courage to embrace the cross fully, for with it comes the salvation that I seek. May I be inspired by Paul's continually joyful heart despite his circumstance. I can only imagine that it is because he believed that "the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18). Help me cling to that same promise.

Like Paul reminding Timothy, may I remember that Your Spirit resides within me. Awaken Your Spirit in me and help me to be open to its promptings. You are present with us in this world through the Spirit. By myself, I cannot triumph over my sins and failings, my tendency to fall to despair and think only of the worst, the hopelessness that recently so often besots me; but with You, I can. Only with You, and only by Your grace.