Why are you a Christian?

I could say that a Christian because my parents are practicing Christians, meaning I grew up and was enculturated in the Christian lifestyle. I can also say that after an up-and-down journey of searching for identity, meaning, and purpose, I chose to adopt the ways of Jesus as my own. It was a twisty, wind-y path, for sure.

The truth is, there are many reasons I'm a Christian today. One of those reasons is that the way of Jesus is the only way of life I know, which allows for, is okay with, and leads me (and every human being) through joy and suffering.

I tend to welcome joy with open arms. Not so much with suffering. Author, historian, and scholar Kate Bowler says, "Suffering is a slow burn, and it never really ends". In other words, suffering is part of the human experience. You cannot escape suffering.

And still, every other spiritual and religious system cannot hold suffering for what it is: part of life.

To be clear, suffering stinks... and I'm not the best at living with it. I tend to want answers and reasons.

We are told that suffering must be avoided to experience enlightenment and become centered. Or, suffering must be eliminated to achieve existential peace. I've recently read that suffering must be denied to reach a place of self-actualization and a vision board of your ideal life.

Jesus' way is different. After all, Jesus calls himself the way, the truth, and the life. He then says humanity can only experience a whole and complete life (the joys and sufferings) through Him. A whole and complete life is one of both joy and suffering.

The scriptures testify that along with the joy and giggles, Jesus doesn't deny suffering. Instead, He considers it part of what makes Him (and us) human. Jesus doesn't eliminate suffering; He receives it. Jesus doesn't avoid suffering; He walks right into betrayal, beatings, bullying, and death.

For me, if God's best plan is to send Jesus to suffer and die on a cross, lose his entire family, take on the sin of the entire world, and believe that there is no better way than to walk through death itself… if that way is good enough for Jesus… It's good enough for me, too.

Only in and through Jesus' way can our lived experiences have the space to fully hold the stink of suffering.

So, how do I live like Jesus when it comes to suffering?

Most self-help approaches encourage engaging in activities to redirect your thoughts. I do them. But, honestly, they're quick respites or ways of coping with suffering - none of them lead me through suffering.

So, I take a cue from the someone who has lived through suffering: Jesus.

Jesus experienced happiness, anger, grief, loss, excitement, sadness, and anxiety. I remind myself to be present with what I am feeling. Those feelings are genuine and will return.

I will then invite Jesus to sit with me in those feelings. Jesus understands, and I am promised that the Holy Spirit will connect me back to God through wordless groans when I am too weak to know what to pray for (Romans 8:26).

I'm far from perfect when it comes to living with suffering.

At the same time, I can say that more often than not, God shows and reminds me that His miracle isn't that the suffering is avoided, eliminated, or denied. . . it is that Jesus is still here with me in it and walking me through it.

And that's (one of the reasons) why I'm a Christian.
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Why are you a Christian?

Email me, leave a comment, or let's grab time to catch up.

I want to control how long I live.

I go to the doctor as a preventative measure to catch little things before they become big things. I eat (reasonably) well and exercise. My financial planner is looking at us living well into our 90s.

These are all good things that support stewarding the body and life and the gifts God has given me to glorify Him and bless others.

This past month, two influential men in my life unexpectedly died. One of them was kind of expected. The other was completely unexpected.

​Then, last week, a brother pastor only a few years older than me died.

Clearly, I cannot control how long I will live.

This past week, I have been thinking a lot about “the afterlife”—heaven. So, I spent some extra devotion time reading God’s Word about heaven. Here are some thoughts I’m treasuring about heaven today.

Heaven is real. I have unwavering confidence in a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1).

Heaven is filled with peace and goodness. Unlike the ominous sea symbolizing chaos and evil, heaven has a life-giving river, symbolizing peace and goodness (Revelation 22:1-5).

There is a reunion with loved ones. The new city (Jerusalem) represents God’s faithful people being gathered together in the ultimate place of peace (Revelation 21)

There is no more sorrow. There will be no pain, death, or negative emotions in heaven—only joy and completeness (Revelation 21:5).

There is so much more, too.

In the meantime, my faith leads me to echo the words of the psalmist: "I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done." (Psalm 118:17)

What do you think heaven is like? Email me, or let’s catch up over tea or coffee.