“Our longing for life keeps confusing us about the purpose of life.”- John Eldredge
As John Eldredge concludes Chapter 17 of Moving Mountains, he asks us how we would explain that fact that throughout history a multitude of saints would testify that even though they endured terrible affliction and their most fervent prayers went unanswered, they would not trade that experience for anything in the world. John explains they would not trade it “because of what they learned of God, learned of love, learned of hope.”
In Philippians 1:21 the apostle Paul wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Mr. Eldredge states Paul learned that most precious of all lessons through loss and suffering. The most beautiful form of holiness is when God has become everything to us. As George MacDonald describes in Unspoken Sermons, God is totally committed to shaping this very holiness in us:
“His children are not his real, true sons and daughters until they think like him, feel with him, judge as he judges, are at home with him, and without fear before him because he and they mean the same thing, love the same things, seek the same ends.”
We know the answer to the question “How does God shape our character?” But at the same time we hate the answer- affliction. John succinctly states:
“Clearly the purpose of life is not the removal of all affliction, or would we put ourselves above Jesus?”
Suffering is not a discouragement to pray. John asserts it is the higher context with which we pray. The mighty victory is staying true to God in the midst of terrible affliction. The goal of this life is the beauty of Jesus Christ. Your Father is committed to forming that beauty in you.
Today’s question: What has the suffering that resulted from your vocation loss taught you about the purpose of life? Please share.
Coming Monday: the Annotated Bibliography of Moving Mountains
Tomorrow’s blog: “One little if” (from Mark Batterson’s latest book)