The Deadly Life of Ease

From Gospel Translations

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Revision as of 14:58, 26 January 2018

Jesus isn’t our servant who exists to run our errands. Rather, He is our Sovereign who gives us what we need while sometimes denying what we want.

We want deliverance from suffering. We want our loved ones to be protected. We don’t want economic crises, natural disasters, job losses, car accidents, or cancer. Our prayers and often our expectations boil down to this: Jesus should make our lives go smoothly. That’s what we want in a Messiah. But it is not what God wants.

Jesus is not our personal assistant charged with granting our wishes. While He often doesn’t give us what we want, He always gives us what we need.

Ironically, the life of ease we most desire is the very kind of life that would make us the people we least admire. Because, let’s be honest, virtually everyone who has suffered little in life seems shallow, unmotivated, self-absorbed, and lacking in character. And yet we do everything we can to avoid challenges, both to our children and to ourselves.

God’s parenting method doesn’t shield us from adversity and the character it builds. He knows the life of ease is deadly to the development of Christlike character.

Perspectives from God’s Word

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV).

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:29, NIV).

Perspectives from God’s People

“Jesus, you are righteousness, not my moral coach; my Lord, not my co-pilot; my life, not my concierge.” —Scotty Ward Smith

“If your hope is anchored in Jesus, the worst case future scenario for you is resurrection and everlasting life.” —Scott Sauls