During our last tour (Don’t Waste Your Life ’09) we had the opportunity to bring our personal commentary to John Piper’s Book of the same title. This blog is my personal commentary on chapter 4 “Magnifying Christ Through Pain and Death.”
Chapter 4
When my father passed away, the last thing I wanted to hear was, “He’s in a better place.” I knew this cliché was true but that didn’t help me with the current struggle of dealing with my father’s death. It goes without saying that he was in a better place. He was in the presence of our LORD, the creator of heaven and earth. He would no longer suffer or feel pain again (Rev. 21:4). As much as I felt the hurt of knowing that I would no longer be able to speak to my father, I was just as disappointed and hurt to come to the realization that I would continue to face a variety of pains and sufferings. I couldn’t help but think that one day I would bury my wife and kids, or they would bury me. I began thinking that I would possibly face serious persecution of some kind or be stricken with some terminal illness since the scriptures promised that I would face trials and suffering of some kind (James 1:2). The question is, how would I handle those trials and tribulations?
I had to come to the conclusion that pain and suffering is only as painful as we allow it to be. The disciples considered it a pleasure to suffer for the sake of Christ (Acts 5:41). For many of us, our treasures are in the world. So, when Jehovah takes away our possessions, health, people or life, we become rocked to the point of depression. I was very close to the tipping point. It’s not that Jehovah finds pleasure in seeing his children suffer, but he finds pleasure in his children being conformed to the image of his son (Rom. 8:29).
I’ve read over James chapter 1 many times and never before had this text become more real to me than when I was dealing with my father’s death. James teaches us to count it pure joy, because these life issues will bring out the sincerity and fidelity in our faith. Separate the real from the fake.
When I was no longer mastered by my fear of suffering and death, then I was able to excel at living for Christ. We must understand that this shell we live in is temporary (2 Cor 4:7-10). Pain, suffering and death is designed to remind us of that. It’s a necessary means to get the believer to loosen his grip on the world and have an eternal perspective.
thanks for taking the time to write this. i still have both my folks here but i did watch my wife go through a dark time when she lost her grandmother. i was thankful that the Holy Spirit kept me quiet and just allowed me to come alongside her. i too get lost in thinking about the impact that certain deaths in my life will effect me. i know my wife shares her fear of losing me from time to time and that’s a sobering conversation if i ever needed one. but your words speak truth and as much as i hate death, i know that it brings the true life out. lately i see more and more people put too much stock in things and money. and then they go on and on about their situations. and when hope is offered they just throw it in God’s face. i can’t hate cause that was me 9 years back. so i pray and hope that they cling to the Rock. I need to start loosening my grip as well. much love…one.
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