“Put up with your share of difficulties, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ,’” St. Paul tells us. A Christian’s life is a fight, a war, a beautiful war of peace and completely different from human warfare which results from division and often hatred. The war of the sons of God is a war against their own selfishness. It is based on unity and love…” (Christ is Passing By, 76)
In this life, we will always experience struggles. One’s hardship may be different compared to another, but in essence, the pain and difficulties will always be there. And this is how the Lord will test our strength and faith in Him and faithfulness to Christ and His doctrine is essential for our eternal salvation. To be faithful, it is then important to strive against anything that may block our way to eternal happiness.
However, it is not easy to keep the faith. The moment we talk about fighting, we recall our weaknesses and foresee falls and mistakes. But we need to understand that God takes these mistakes into account, knowing that we are creatures full of defects. Our imperfection is a shadow that shows up the light of God’s grace – a way to respond to His kindness. This way, it makes as human, humble, understanding and generous.
Also, let us not deceive ourselves—in this life will find enthusiasm and victory, as well as depression and defeat. Nobody said it was going to be easy. Like heroes, martyrs and event saints, their own stories resemble our own experiences. They fought and won; they fought and lost; and then repentant, they returned to the fray.
We must also remember that although Jesus had Divine nature, that he was also fully human. Because of this, he experienced all the things we do—fear, anxiety and pain. In his human nature, he experienced every agonizing moment of the scourging and cross like any of us would. Still, even with His humanity, Christ rose from the dead for us. With this we should remember the past, what the Lord has done for us, as well as celebrate it in the present.
One more thing to remember is that through our faith, we should lift up our burdens to Christ. A burden that we continue to carry needlessly brings regrets. In Philippians 3:13-14, it is written, “Forgetting those things that are behind, we are reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark, for the prize of high calling of God, in Christ Jesus.”
So let Him take care of your yesterdays, your past. The Lord can take care of these through forgiveness and the power not to repeat. Do something about it, don’t spend the rest of your life having regrets of “Wish I had,” “If I had only,” or “Why didn’t I?”
To do this, let prayers be a part of your life by undoing the past lack of prayers. Build relationships but keeping in touch with family, especially parents. And lastly, undo the burdens you have we have placed on others, due to insensitive actions or words.
This Holy Week, we are given a chance to reflect on and relive the last hours of Jesus’ life. Confess, receive forgiveness and press on, in the power of the Holy Spirit. But most of all, have faith in His holiness by making sure that you don’t “pick your burdens up again” once you have left then at His feet.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(Northern California April 22-28, 2011 SF Mag pg.2)
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