Making Much of Him Forever

I am reading John Pipers book, "Don't Waste Your Life". In it he says, "Jesus said to Paul in pain-and to all of us who treasure him more than pain-free living-"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:8). Many professing Christians would get angry at this design. They might even scream, "I don't care about your power being perfected! I am in pain! If you love me, get me out of this!" that was not Paul's response. Paul had learned what love is. Love is not Christ's making much of us or making life easy. Love is doing what he must do, at great cost to himself (and often to us), to enable us to enjoy making much of him forever. So Paul responds to Christ's design,"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Piper is causing me to ask myself some questions. I encourage you to ask yourself these questions as well.

Do I treasure Him more than pain free living? If the answer is yes, then what should my response be when he allows pain into my life?

How can I let Him make His power perfected in my weakness?

Do I believe my pain is a result of His love for me? In my pain am I making much of Him? Could I do it forever even if the pain intensifies?

Am I content with my weaknesses and my hardships? Does my attitude show it?

My pain and your pain came at a great cost to God! He will not waste your pain. Let Him perfect the purpose in it. Trust Him. Do your part by making much of Him in the midst of it. Don't waste your pain and suffering! Take up your cross and follow Jesus. He knows the way home!