Life Culture - The Joy of Tribulation
Perhaps it’s particularly true that our North American “life culture” (our success orientation earmarked by health, welfare and consumerism) is most glaringly apparent at Christmastime. If you’ve not yet taken stock of this fact, we’re already closing in on another illustrious season of “jingle bells and roasting smells….” I know this because my GPS is locking in on every “shopping mall” we drive by, and I’ve noticed that the directional voice sounds a little friendlier than normal!
It’s a glorious time of year. Yet what about God’s glory, and how do we celebrate Christmas through the faithful eyes of a little child…the recommended disposition? Well, our brother Paul had something to say about that in Romans 5:1-6 (NKJV).
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God….
“And not only that [as if that weren’t enough!], but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
PEACE with God, as promised to us at Christmas, was delivered and made effective by way of our faith in the Heavenly Gift wrapped in His LOVE and sealed with Christ’s blood. Let that be the true immeasurable gift of an entirely new season of Christmas celebration, and let us receive it in the JOY of a spiritually newborn child. This same joy was experienced during Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand’s darkest hours, filling their prison cells and souls with much more than mere survivability.
That the joy of Christmas should be so counterbalanced by “tribulation” is very sad, except when we embrace God’s perspective on the matter of joyfully suffering for Jesus. We at VOMC are routinely confronted by the reality of a modern-day “death culture” which envelops families engaged in a battle-arena and leaves them barely coping with the lingering effects of “shock trauma.” It’s a battle that seeks to confound the optimism of innocent children – causing much grief while destroying vision and, as Paul describes, HOPE.
Such a culture instills fear in a bizarre kind of way, though it is no less disheartening and dangerous. Through our work, however, children are enabled to dream. The message of Christmas, especially when implanted with big dreams well beyond the child’s capacity or that of their parents, brings the hope and encouragement that’s required to reignite those God-given aspirations.
The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, thanks to faithful supporters like you, is investing in programs such as this year’s Christmas Blessing. Through this fund, children and their families are provided far more than the practical necessities needed for the cold winter ahead, but also vitally important spiritual gifts that will last for eternity: peace, love, joy, hope….
May God fill your household this Christmas and throughout 2019 with His abiding presence and the everlasting gifts made available through His Promised Son Jesus – the Ultimate Gift – who came to bring salvation to the world.
- Doug
