tension

You ever wonder why Jesus told us to expect trouble? You ever think that He was just blowing smoke. I mean if you look at the class of preachers and teachers on TV today you really have to wonder if Jesus knew what He was talking about. It would seem that all this jib jab about trouble somehow wasn't meant for us modern more sophisticated well to do Christians. The other day I was told that a local pastor who has four churches in the surrounding area would fly a helicopter to each church just so he could be there in person to preach his message (I think he missed the class on live video feed). Seriously a helicopter?

Let's not fault the pretty boys on TV, even our own ideas of blessing and the good life come from reading the Bible. The bible does talk about blessing. It does talk about God intervening on our behalf and doing miracles and wonders and blessing our socks off. So what was Jesus doing here?

I think He was balancing the see-saw out. Yes, we will have blessing in this life, but we will also have trouble. Life is full of tensions. I think it is the only way to keep things in check and balance.

To accomplish something great in life like a wonderful marriage, or phenominal parenting, or caring neighbor takes an encounter with tension. But it is just these tensions that enable us to really strengthen ourselves and give value to what we accomplish. Without the cross there is no salvation and without tension there is no prize.

Never quit.