Lord, Take Me Now

When Pain Has a Purpose

While having breakfast in the restaurant, one person yells to the next, “Lord, you can return now and take me from this retched world.” They respond with, “Amen!”  It was a comment in the reaction of distaste to a man sitting outside the window having a beer and cigarette at 8:30 am. I often hear people frequently express this comment when they are in an undesirable situation. Instead of the continued rude comments that took place, what if they had gone out and invited him in to eat at their table? My husband and I found ourselves buying him breakfast and having a fun chat together.

This provoked an internal question. Would they be ready for Jesus’ return, to face judgment at that moment? Would I be ready? Are we doing a disservice to Jesus when we jokingly make the comment, “Lord, take me now,” so mindlessly? What others see and hear us say is the truth within our hearts. What do others see in me?

My grandparents met during World War II. My grandfather was a German soldier, and my grandmother was a nurse assistant. They met while my grandfather was a wounded patient.  You can see in the picture that despite being in the middle of the war, these young people managed to find joy in the midst of what was happening. My grandfather even proposed to my grandmother while he was a patient.  One of the many times my grandfather was in the hospital, Russians came and were given orders to shoot and kill every other German soldier lying in their hospital beds. Nurses had helped my grandfather, along with a few other men to sneak out the side window, saving their lives. Despite facing traumatic events like these for several years, they had hope. A hope for a future and purpose in their lives together. During the ten years, they had two children and finally escaped to the West. A few years later, a Christian family in New York sponsored them, and they came to America with $5 in their pocket and one suitcase for the 4 of them.

Lisa’s grandfather and hospital staff in (Zittau, East Germany) Hospital during WWII.

Lisa’s grandparents Otto & Ursula Kranz. Picture of their marriage proposal moment at age 19 during WWII dressed in their hospital clothes.

We are God’s servants, created and placed on this earth for his purpose. There will be crises, struggles, things we disagree with, and traumatic events. Jesus had his fair share of these. We have the great honor of sharing God's righteousness and faith in Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection with others.

Apostle Paul was transformed from an enemy of Jesus to a follower (Saul to Paul: Acts 21-28) who would spread the word of God. He made it his mission to bring unity among all people (Jew or non-jew, male or female). Paul is brought to trial and is sent to Rome with a Roman guard who sailed on a treacherous trip. God kept them safe despite a shipwreck. When Paul was in Rome, he was still a prisoner who was always guarded by a soldier. He continues his message of unity, for even the followers of Jesus were divided by what they believed and practiced. Despite all he has experienced in his life’s journey, Paul writes (Romans 5) about peace with God as he stands in his grace with patience, hope, and assurance of eternal salvation. He holds to this while still spreading the good news!

READ:

Romans 5:3-5 (AMP): 3 And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; 4 and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. 5 Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Jesus came to free us from being trapped in the guilt of sin. Declare to all who will hear about Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. Share your gift of transformation. Fight for God’s kingdom with joy and be unified in faith. Rejoice in your hardships, knowing these will produce patience and endurance, creating a spiritual maturity within you. Have hope and confidence, as God assured you with a promise to never disappoint. Believe God’s love is abundantly poured out in your heart with his Holy Spirit, whom he has gifted you. Live your life with purpose, to share the good news of our King who died and rose again for us so we can have everlasting life with him.

Reflection Questions:

1.      Are you practicing Romans 5:3-5?

2.      Are you judging others and yet lack righteousness yourself?

3.      Where is your attitude of the heart in painful times?

4.      Are you sharing with others your story of transformation?

5.      Are you ready for Jesus’ return?

Pray for a transformed heart and mind.

Have a NEW life TOGETHER with JOY and REJOICE in your hardships, for you will be TRANSFORMED!

*Scripture link: Romans 5:3-5 AMP - And not only this, but [with joy] let - Bible Gateway