Ephesians 3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
Humility
Paul, by this time, had earned a considerable reputation among the Church. He had planted several churches, had proclaimed the Good News of Jesus to public officials and the lowliest of servants, had been used by God to bring healing-in one situation he was so busy with work, people took sweat bands from his head & placed them on sick people and they were healed (Acts 19). He could boast of spiritual accomplishments with the best of the Apostles. But he calls himself a servant (deacon) of the Good News, and less than the least of all the Lord's people. James said 'humble yourself in the sight of the Lord & He will lift you up" (4:10). Peter said "humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and He will exalt you in due time" (1 Peter 5:6). Jesus said "for those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12). It is an illness of our age that many people in the Church teach the opposite attitude.
Suffering
Gautama Buddha said "life is suffering". I think this idea resonates with many of us. The Preacher of Ecclesiastes said something similar "vanity of vanities, all is vanity". Life is short, and there is pain and decay even in the midst of the greatest triumphs and pleasures. In Christian teaching the trick is not to avoid suffering. In exercise circles they say no pain no gain. For musicians, the tedium of consistent error-correcting practice results in great performances. A woman suffers great pain in childbearing, but has great joy when the child is born. Beyond this, there can be redemptive suffering. Jesus suffered in our place in order that we could have freedom from sin and punishment. Each of His Disciples suffered greatly in order to bring the Good News to others. When you suffer in order to fulfill God's call on your life He uses that suffering as a redemptive price to purchase others out of slavery. Paul was writing this from prison. He knew the price and value of redemptive suffering. The word he uses here for suffering is thlipsis-often translated as tribulation. The word has its roots in describing the process of running a piece of metal through a wringer, a rolling mill (pic attached). Have you ever felt pressed in & flattened? You may be going through suffering God can use to mold you and bless others.
Glory
The word glory is doxa (not dosa. Doxa). The idea is shining, glowing, radiating divine light. The older word for this concept was kleos-this word had largely fallen out of use by the time the New Testament was written. Hercules had glory in his name-Hera-klese or Hera kleos-the glory of Hera. This may be where the term 'hero' came from. Hera was Hercules' nemesis, and he was named this in the hopes she would be kind to him. In one story, Hercules was visited by Pleasure and Virtue, and offered a life of comfort and pleasure or a life of difficulty and glory. He chose the difficulty and glory. Hercules lived a dissipated life and destroyed many of those closest to him, so he's not the best example in all things, but the myth offers some lessons that are biblical. If you want to see glory, you have to be willing to embrace difficulty, suffering, and tribulation. I think at least part of the reason is related to the first topic today, humility.
We by our nature have no glory. Humans don't shine. We're made of dirt. But if we can rub off a bit of the tarnish that defines us, it is possible we can begin to reflect and radiate the glory of God. Humility and suffering seem to be the keys that open the door to God's light and glory. Once the door is open, that glory radiates everywhere.
Prayer
Father,
I'd like to pray a difficult prayer. Thank you for the difficulties. Thank you for the suffering you have used to refine me. Please, Lord, let the refinement not be wasted. Change me. Mold me to Your purposes. Polish me so I can reflect Your goodness and love and peace and joy and all that is wondrous about You. Let me shine Your glory so others can see You.
