NO CROSS NO CROWN

Suffering is an inevitable reality of human life, so too with the salvific plan of God. Salvation through suffering is the plan of God. That is what we find in the suffering servant of Isaiah. God himself willed redemption of disobeyed humanity through suffering. Therefore, suffering is not something to run away from, but a door to the road of redemption. Thus, it is in endurance we are elevated.

A Tamil proverb goes like this, “உளி விழுவதால் வலி என அழும் கற்கள் சிற்பமாவதில்லை”. Yes, a beautiful statue is sign and symbol of extreme form of endurance. It has undergone the painful process of editing and redacting. Its submission to its master is not a passive act, but an active, and attentive commission totally without any desire of its own in the hands of the sculpture. In fact, a stone with passivity and rigidity gets broken and is thrown away useless. 

God is an editor. But are we ready to be edited by Him?  It is true that it is a painful processes, but with bright future. Can we say with Paul, “I consider the suffering of this world as nothing when I compare the glory to come.”  (Rom 8: 18)

Therefore, let us pray to our Lord, who has conquered the world through suffering, that we may actively submit ourselves in the hands of God, and may become beautiful living statues of message of Gospel. 

Bro. A. Susai Devanesan