We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:3-5
Heading toward the security line, I had just checked my suitcase for a recent international trip. Ahead of me was a sign that read “Upgrade Yourself to First Class”. I sighed. I’d be cramped into a coach seat on an overnight flight, knowing that I’d get precious little sleep and have to “hit the ground running” when I deplaned.
Passing that disconcerting sign, I rounded the corner in the terminal only to spot a store called “Indulge”. “What an indulgence it would have been to have upgraded myself to first class”, I thought. As I glanced at the store window, it was obvious this was an indulgence of a different kind: chocolate!
Having time to think as I waited in the security line, I pondered the whole idea of upgrading and indulging. We don’t have to be at the airport to encounter these temptations. They are all around us, particularly at Christmas time when the marketing folks are working overtime to convince us we need whatever they are selling.
How many lies do we encounter every day in our culture? What sort of advertisements tell us daily that if we only buy their product, we will look young and beautiful or have a lifestyle that looks opulent and trouble-free? Most goods are ones we don’t actually need, but they appeal to our wants and desires.
Reflecting on what marketing strategies typically ensnare me, I realize that often I’m looking for what will make my life easier. The twin gods of Comfort and Convenience call to me like the Sirens in Greek mythology, enticing me to come ashore only to have me shipwrecked on the rocky coast and drowned in a pool of deceit. The goods sold rarely live up to the hype.
God doesn’t call us to a comfortable life. He is more concerned about our character. John 16:33 says in this world, we all will have losses, troubles, and heartaches. No one is exempt, even someone who seems to have it all together. Character is forged in our sufferings, not in our comfort and convenience. Building character is ultimately the result of how we respond to our sufferings. Giving into the marketers’ lies and indulging ourselves in comfort and convenience can be a coping mechanism for our own hurts. Character-building starts with the choices we make every day. Ultimately we will be like Christ (1 John 3:2) but developing character is a process. It’s not microwavable. There are no instantaneous results.
The good news is developing character produces hope (Romans 5:4-5). If we allow God to work in our hearts, we will come through suffering stronger than before and will be walking closer with our Savior, able to trust Jesus through life’s difficulties. The hope created by character is found in God’s love for us (verse 5) which He pours into our hearts by His Spirit.
This holiday season, let’s focus on comfort and convenience – but not our own! Giving to those less fortunate than ourselves, offering God’s love and comfort to those who are hurting, and extending hope to those in despair are gifts we can indulge in now and throughout the New Year. The choice is ours – to indulge ourselves or to help others. When we make the right choice, we’ll find we’re allowing God to build our character to become more Christ-like. And that’s an endeavor worthy of indulgence.
Heavenly Father, especially at this time of year, I pray You will open my eyes to opportunities to give Your comfort to others, rather than thinking about my own comfort and convenience. Even in the midst of my own heartaches, may I focus on You as I reach out to help others. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
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Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of fern growing through the sandstone at Sweetheart Abbey, New Abbey, Dumfries, Scotland.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Heading toward the security line, I had just checked my suitcase for a recent international trip. Ahead of me was a sign that read “Upgrade Yourself to First Class”. I sighed. I’d be cramped into a coach seat on an overnight flight, knowing that I’d get precious little sleep and have to “hit the ground running” when I deplaned.
Passing that disconcerting sign, I rounded the corner in the terminal only to spot a store called “Indulge”. “What an indulgence it would have been to have upgraded myself to first class”, I thought. As I glanced at the store window, it was obvious this was an indulgence of a different kind: chocolate!
Having time to think as I waited in the security line, I pondered the whole idea of upgrading and indulging. We don’t have to be at the airport to encounter these temptations. They are all around us, particularly at Christmas time when the marketing folks are working overtime to convince us we need whatever they are selling.
How many lies do we encounter every day in our culture? What sort of advertisements tell us daily that if we only buy their product, we will look young and beautiful or have a lifestyle that looks opulent and trouble-free? Most goods are ones we don’t actually need, but they appeal to our wants and desires.
Reflecting on what marketing strategies typically ensnare me, I realize that often I’m looking for what will make my life easier. The twin gods of Comfort and Convenience call to me like the Sirens in Greek mythology, enticing me to come ashore only to have me shipwrecked on the rocky coast and drowned in a pool of deceit. The goods sold rarely live up to the hype.
God doesn’t call us to a comfortable life. He is more concerned about our character. John 16:33 says in this world, we all will have losses, troubles, and heartaches. No one is exempt, even someone who seems to have it all together. Character is forged in our sufferings, not in our comfort and convenience. Building character is ultimately the result of how we respond to our sufferings. Giving into the marketers’ lies and indulging ourselves in comfort and convenience can be a coping mechanism for our own hurts. Character-building starts with the choices we make every day. Ultimately we will be like Christ (1 John 3:2) but developing character is a process. It’s not microwavable. There are no instantaneous results.
The good news is developing character produces hope (Romans 5:4-5). If we allow God to work in our hearts, we will come through suffering stronger than before and will be walking closer with our Savior, able to trust Jesus through life’s difficulties. The hope created by character is found in God’s love for us (verse 5) which He pours into our hearts by His Spirit.
This holiday season, let’s focus on comfort and convenience – but not our own! Giving to those less fortunate than ourselves, offering God’s love and comfort to those who are hurting, and extending hope to those in despair are gifts we can indulge in now and throughout the New Year. The choice is ours – to indulge ourselves or to help others. When we make the right choice, we’ll find we’re allowing God to build our character to become more Christ-like. And that’s an endeavor worthy of indulgence.
Heavenly Father, especially at this time of year, I pray You will open my eyes to opportunities to give Your comfort to others, rather than thinking about my own comfort and convenience. Even in the midst of my own heartaches, may I focus on You as I reach out to help others. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of fern growing through the sandstone at Sweetheart Abbey, New Abbey, Dumfries, Scotland.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
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