Sometimes pain is a teacher. Sometimes it is a remarkable and even necessary tool. And maybe, just maybe, it has something to do with how we follow Jesus. Cringe if you must, but please read on.
For several months now I have experienced increasing pain and decreasing range of motion in my right arm and shoulder. Physical pain, of course, makes life harder and is something we’d prefer to avoid. It’s also a sign that something is wrong, and generally the proper reaction is to pull back from whatever is causing that pain. Along with some physical therapy, that’s what I was doing, but it certainly wasn’t leading to the healing I so much needed.
Just last week things got bad enough that I finally went to an orthopedist. With the help of x-rays and MRI imaging she confirmed her suspicion. I have “adhesive capsulitis,” commonly known as “frozen shoulder.” Here’s the kicker: the only way to improve my condition is to engage in lengthy and painful stretching exercises multiple times a day. Furthermore, using my arm in ways that are painful is not going to worsen my condition. This new information has totally changed my perspective – and my activity. Rather than pulling back, I need to push in to the pain! This, believe it or not, is good news. It means that I have a path forward for healing, and I desire that healing enough that I am more than willing to suffer the pain in exchange for it. I’m pushing in!
On the first day of cringing and praying my way through my prescribed stretches, this question occurred to me and challenged me: Is this not similar to what Jesus asks of us when he invites us to follow him? I recalled these familiar words: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
In the World Mission Prayer League we often speak of the “commissioned life,” and you’ll be hearing us talk about this even more in the coming months. God’s commission to every believer is to proclaim the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15) and to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). These are God’s clear and gracious priorities – they are what he wants most – and he lovingly calls us to make them our priorities as well, to desire them as he desires them. Jesus saved us by giving his life for ours. He now invites us to live our saved lives as “commissioned lives,” fully dedicated to the task of others receiving the same eternal salvation. He knows – better than anyone knows – that this may not come easily. It comes at a cost. It comes with a cross.
My friends, are you with your Savior Jesus on this? Making disciples of all nations – the “great commission” – will require us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross (Hebrews 12:1,2). Jesus pushed in to the agony and shame of the cross because he knew what lay ahead. He knew what it was for. He did this for you, for me, and for all people everywhere in all times. Will you push in?
Let’s admit it. We all tend to pull back from sacrifice or suffering. It’s natural. We like to serve ourselves. We prefer to be comfortable. We prefer security over sacrifice, consumerism over simplicity, and safety over risk. Jesus, however, invites us to push in. It’s the way of the cross. It’s the way of reaching the nations. It’s the way of love. It’s the way of Jesus, and he promises to be with us in it. Pray with him about it. Is he calling you to push in?
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1,2
Was reminded recently of the Janis Joplin line, ‘Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.’ Insightful as sacrificing in God’s order of things always results in his good. It seems for this generation and likely more so for those that follow, attachment to ‘stuff’ is to be avoided. The call to ‘commissioned living’ is more than that but does include it and I believe can be a clarion call for the different way of living many are looking for.
How does that look going forward? Plenty of WMPLs own Xrays and MRIs are needed as we progress.
Thanks, Jackie, for the input. Indeed, we have some Xray-ing to do even as we do some “forecasting” for the sequel to WMPL.