Suffer With Him

"I want to know Him; I want to experience the power of His resurrection and share in His sufferings and become like Him in His death." - Phillipians 3:10

Knowing Jesus Christ is recognizing that His way and the way of the world are opposites. Knowing Him means that you are choosing to walk a lonely and very hard path. Those that choose to follow Jesus down this path start with so much joy, love and fervor but quickly fall off because being like Jesus means suffering His fate. You cannot serve this master if you refuse to imitate Him in all things, even death. Although it might not be a physical death, it's a death to all of the things of the flesh that hinder you from perfect unity with God. Believing in the power of the resurrection, as Saint Paul says here, is wanting to experience the full benefits of the redemption from sin and death that Jesus secured for us. Since this world is full of so much sin and people that will stand opposed to your faith, and mock you for your beliefs, you will suffer for His Name and you will suffer from the trials the devil will bring upon you. This is where imitating Him will be your joy, when you are at your lowest, the power of God will make you strong in your weakness and His Name will be exalted…there, in being like Him, you allow for His glory and power to shine forth.

Today's Prayer:
My Lord, my God, I understand that wanting to follow You means taking up my own cross and imitating You in Your suffering without ever losing faith. The trials are hard my God, but be with me and give me the strength to overcome evil and let Your glory be known. In Your Name we pray, Amen.