suffering

wow it's been almost a year since i've last blogged O_O shows how much i love computers hahaha (and/or have the ability to use one) and also, who is stsip? :P

So. I've been thinking for a while on the thought of suffering and discomfort. along with derk's post on TCB (http://thechristianbubble.blogspot.com/2010/03/comfy-christians.html), and going back to deedz in a long times (deedz.ca), I've been caught up with the thought of suffering, discomfort and where it all leads.

My initial reaction was, pardon the passion, disgust and revolt of the North American culture in which we live our lives so comfortably. I don't understand how you can call yourself Christian when you have brothers and sister that are suffering daily, not even necessarily far away. At the same time I'm shocked at the blindness of our culture; even when somebody is suffering we do our best to hide this weakness, as if everything in our lives are perfect all the time. "How are you doing?" "Oh, I'm doing fine." WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?! If you're upset with something, or if you're going through rough times, just say it.

Anyways, my post is not on that. My post focuses more on discomfort and being comfortable with it. This thought originates with a lot of older generations, around their 30s and 40s. When I look at my parents, or pastors around that age, I wonder where all the passion went. What they go through in their lives and what they say do not match. "You must give Jesus your everything" ...but at the same time you hoard a ton of unnecessary material possessions. "You should spend time with the homeless and the suffering; those in prison and those who are hungry and sick" ...but all you ever do is sit around with the same small group FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS. "Please pray for my sufferings" ...but you never pray for those who are hurting and you know it.

How is it that these people can say all these things (and I believe that at some point meant something to them) but not live out the life that we are called to? My answer was comfort. Growing up as a teen/young adult means a lot of experimentation, and a lot of new experiences. Once you hit that age, you have a family to care for, a house to pay for, and a bunch of other things to do since "you're an adult now". However, you're living a life of comfort and of complacency, and I freely use those terms interchangeably. And while you *can* do these things, I do not think they are necessary. Why devote so much time to things that are of this earth? When you die, none of these things last. Generations may go by from your influence but ultimately has zero eternal value (unless you've been given the task by God to do such things...shall elaborate later).

I was talking to a sister of mine regarding this and she mentioned how at some point in her life, she had to choose between God or everything else in this world: family, house, education, freedom(s). In the end, when everything is lost and nothing seems to be true anymore, what can you rely on? Can you REALLY say God is your absolute EVERYTHING, and that everything else that comes your way is like a side bonus?

Just a thought. I'll have a follow-up soon (i hope haha). Let me know what you think :)