A Spiritual Journey

Yesterday I went with Sister to a get together with several of her classmates.  They graduated from high school the year I was born.  I enjoyed the morning even though I didn't know the people, and afterwards Sister thanked me for going with her.  It is always more fun when you do something or go somewhere with a friend.  Jesus sent his disciples out two by two - probably for many reasons.  Before I joined Sister, I did most everything alone.  I was married to a busy rancher so I went to school activities alone, movies alone, horse riding alone, raised my boys alone.  Then I lived alone for ten years before I joined Sister.  I was very lonely - and could not say the words "I am lonely" without choking up.  Of course that was a long time ago,(I have been with Sister over 15 years now) and God healed me of my loneliness by revealing to me His constant presence in my life. 


Sister said to me, "And I'm sure you offered this suffering up to the Lord."  


I answered, "I don't recall if it came to my mind to do so." 


And she said, "It is not too late to do it now, for there is no time with God."

We've been talking about forgiveness and the healing of our hurts.  You can offer up these hurts to God now - it is not too late.  What you are doing is uniting your hurts, your pain to the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Jesus Christ.  One time Sister was having trouble with her neck, which bothers her ever since a car accident and whip-lash, and she offered up her pain for 10,000 souls, and the Lord spoke to her heart - "Not only for 10,000, but for all of them."

Paul wrote to the Colossians:  Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.  (1:24)

The letter to the Hebrews describes associating our suffering with others, being united in our faith in this way:  Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering.  at times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated.  You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.  Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense.  You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.