First,
to "bear": This means to shoulder a specific burden, or to hold its
weight. Of course, this requires effort.
Don't run away from carrying the inevitable burden that God requires of you as
a Christian! Be a man of God - or a woman of God - and bear it!
What
are you bearing? Only "your
share." God wisely metes out only a
share to you . . . not the whole thing. And
that portion is suited perfectly to you, even though you may not realize it.
You may prefer something else - or something more - than Jesus intends for you
to bear. He gives you a particular
"share" of hardship that is exactly the right type and size for you. Sometimes a trusted friend or a good spiritual
director can help you discern what "your share" actually is.
Next, the word "hardship. " Accepting
Jesus and living by His commands - sooner or later - is always hard. It always
requires sacrifice of some kind, big or small. You may want to do big things
for God, but sometimes He asks for small sacrifices, the little things you
think don't count. But remember: any difficulty, any sacrifice, always counts
to God when we lovingly offer it to Jesus for the sake of His Kingdom. He will
use it all, every tiny bit.
"The
Gospel" is what it's all about. It is the ultimate Good News - intended to
be lived, and shared with others. It's
for the sake of the Gospel that we bear hardship - and it's all worth it.
And
finally, how can we possibly do all this? The answer, Paul says, is "with
the strength that comes from God." Not our own puny human strength, thank
goodness! Human strength is good, but it's not enough. You do it with the
strength that God gives you - and that is always enough. You can count on it.
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