By Claudia Mair Burney
Friday, the first week of Advent
One of the biggest myths that I bought into as a new believer was that the Christian life was a seamless journey to heaven, and Jesus would make everything better. I may have even had a t-shirt with what looked like the Coca Cola logo that proclaimed as much. While it’s true that Jesus has made everything better, my journey to meet Him face to face has been far from seamless. Even Jesus had it rough: He was conceived by an unwed teen; the king put a contract out on him while His mother was pregnant, and He was born in a filthy stable because there was no room in the Inn for a woman ripe with child; all because of a government-mandated event. Yet we find no evidence that the Holy Family complained bitterly about their fate. Does their response mirror your own, not just to the challenges, but tribulations of life?
I don’t know how to suffer. I’m afraid to even have this conversation with You for fear that more pain and hardship will come my way. But this is silliness. You’ve already told us in the Gospels that in this world we would have tribulations. Help me to remember that You are with me, and that you will not put more suffering on me than I can bear. Lord, you endured far more than I will ever have to. Help me to look upon You always, and take strength for my journey from Your example. When I am cowering in fear of the darkness of life, illuminate me.
“Come, Lord Jesus.”
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