I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel (not that there is another). // Galatians 1:6
In the early years of my conversion, I asked the Lord for the heart of this friend to be touched, the suicidal thoughts of that one to be overcome, for a miracle of healing here, and conversion there. It felt as though everything and anything I prayed for would come true. I was spoiled, one could say. And rightly so, I reasoned. How could there be suffering for one who has turned her life over to the Lord?
Once we say yes to Him, follow Him and leave our old ways, it’s all uphill from that point onwards, right?
I had subscribed to a false gospel of prosperity and constant earthly joys with no sorrows, to a world where the Lord fixed everything and made everyone feel good.
The Lord treated me mercifully and only slowly began to show me the truth: Christians have a unique call to share in the sufferings and death of Christ, to follow where He has led, namely the Cross. He began to allow for me to drink from the Cup (Matthew 20:22-23)—at first, once or twice sporadically and then more often. As Christians, our suffering will have meaning and, moreover, it will have power. This power infused into our suffering as we unite ourselves more fully to Christ comes not from us, but purely from His merits. My suffering, then, becomes transformed and elevated to a storehouse of treasures for myself and others.
Is this how I see my crosses? Do I realize they are overwhelmingly full of graces waiting to be dispensed?
The Lord is present there, calling me higher, drawing me closer, and purifying my love and my faith. He has gone before us on the road of suffering and is, therefore, the best teacher on how to carry the load.
Sister, may we kiss the Cross and embrace Christ there, rejecting all of the false gospels we have turned to for comfort.
He has gone before us on the road of suffering. // Rocio HermesClick to tweet
Rocio Hermes is a Dominican-born, US-raised, stay-at-home mom who is excited about building community, baking desserts, and writing poetry. She holds a Master’s degree in Theology and has lived in Ethiopia as a missionary. Rocio now lives in Israel with her German husband and their son. She is a contributing author to Blessed Conversations: Dwell. You can read more from her at graceandmercyblog.com.
Rocío Hermes es una mama de casa nacida en República Dominicana y criada en Estados Unidos, a quien le entusiasma construir una comunidad, hornear postres y escribir poesía. Tiene una maestría en Teología y ha vivido en Etiopía como misionera. Rocío ahora vive en Israel con su marido alemán y su hijo. Es autora colaboradora de Blessed Conversations: Dwell. Puede leer más sobre ella en Graceandmercyblog.com.
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