Entering into a life with Jesus can be exhilarating! Filled with hope for a brighter, better, and easier future. But then life happens. The novelty fades... some old habits return... things you thought would be fixed, persist... and sometimes new and painful things enter your life: tragedy, heartbreak, illness, loss. When people come to this point in their journey, they are often confused and disheartened: “I thought when I became a Christian, life would get better.” We bump up against the question, “Why? Why me? Why them? Why would God allow this?” And we may find ourselves at a crossroads; Do I even want to continue this Jesus-relationship when it doesn’t seem to benefit me the way I thought it would?”

1. We have a calling (Romans 8:17) (And if we're children, we are also heirs.. as long as we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. NTE)

• We have a calling: to be representatives in God’s kingdom on earth by following the life modeled byJesus (John 17 - In this world but not of it) and being empowered by the Spirit (Romans 8:14-15 “Allwho are led by the spirit of God, you see, are God's children. You didn't receive a spirit of slavery, didyou, to go back again into a state of fear? But you received the Spirit of sonship...” NET)
• We live in the desert of Exodus. Longing, at times, to go back to the slavery of Egypt because it’swhat we know and think will make us comfortable, or fearing that the future Promised Land mightbe a mirage because we mistakenly thought we would be able to skip the desert/suffering and headright in. (Number 11:4-6)

‍

2. Right now, our calling involves suffering. (Romans 8:12

• We have an obligation: to share in Christ’s suffering and trust that suffering is not the totality norend of the story. There is a mystery to suffering but also a precedent set by Jesus (Mark 14:32-36).
• We have a host of witnesses that have gone before us that validate the reality of suffering even inthe midst of our calling.
• We live in “the space between slavery and the Promised Land” and that space includes the everpresent reality of suffering.

‍

‍

3. In our suffering, we are not alone, it is not forever, it is not meaningless.

• Suffering is a part of the curse and everyone is invited to participate in God’s plan of restoration.(Genesis 3:15)
• This desert time is not the end of the story. (Revelation 21:4)
•  Jesus was willing to submit to suffering in his body, on the cross, for us. If we follow the Jesus-path,
• We too must acknowledge the role of suffering for the body of Christ (each other/the church).(Colossians 1:24)

‍Video of the Week: Job by the Bible Project

‍QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Initial thoughts and feelings: What has been your personal experience with suffering? How do you react to suffering, personal or perceived in the world at large?
2. As you walk with the LORD through seasons of suffering, what kinds of practices (scripture reading/prayer/solitude/engaging in community/therapy/etc) have helped you process through the pain?
3. What are your thoughts on this idea of calling (to be representatives in God’s kingdom on earth by following the life modeled by Jesus and being empowered by the Spirit) and obligation (to share inChrist’s suffering and trust that suffering is not the totality nor end of the story).
4. Calling - In your day-to-day life, how does being “led by the Spirit” play out? ie. What does it look like?How might you grow in this? Who do you know who exhibits “Spirit-led” living? What is the fruit of theSpirit?
5. Obligation - In your day-to-day life, how does being an “heir to the kingdom” in this present desert time play out? Ie. Do you live as though the kingdom is here now or do you find yourself thinking you just have to suffer through this life to get to the next? Do you try to avoid the desert time or do you recognize its potential value?
6. As you go into this next week, what is one thing can you do to increase your understanding and acceptance of your calling and obligation?