"The Weekly Word"

      May I know him, and the power of his resurrection, sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death. -Philippians 3:10 

Knowing Jesus, following Jesus, loving Jesus, even sharing about Jesus, all that seems straight forward. I love what being a Christian means

 in a “feel-good sense.” 

Then I read this verse from Paul to the church in Philippi. And wow, it makes me shiver right down to my toes! Sharing with Jesus in suffering and even being like him in death. Those last two items of the verse seem to encompass impossibilities. 

And yet when I look at the verse, isn’t it a wonderful progression of what life should in fact be as we journey with Jesus on the earth. We should know Jesus, but not only that. We should know he has power to bring life like nothing and no one else can. 

A life in the ashes is still a life Jesus will raise. We can be in whatever ashes. Maybe it’s conflict, of family drama or trauma, of past hurt, of questioning my place in the world, of loss, of loneliness, even of pressures from others or even those pressures which are self-created. 

Jesus, remember, went through all our human stages. And even unto death, God raised him to life because he remained faithful to his call from his heavenly father. 

Our task is the same. To remain faithful to the call from God to follow Jesus at all costs, being raised to life in our ashes, knowing Jesus has suffered and died. We have not and will not experience anything Jesus has not! Therefore, my prayer is we can hear the call from Paul now in life. 

So, this week, how can you and I just a little more know Jesus and draw closer to him? How can you and I just a little more feel ourselves being raised from the ashes of life, knowing Jesus brings life like nothing and no one else can? Are you and I willing to share just a little more in suffering so we can remember Jesus had to suffer even more? And can we even embrace just a little more the concept death will be a part of this life, but just like Jesus, we will forever be able to live if we are looking to his love and grace now and eternally! 

To God be the glory 

Pastor Brandon