Great thoughts, dear Tams (peace, luv!). In addition to those, it reminds me of what is stated at Hebrews 12:4, in regard to our dealing with our own sins:
"In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood."
We might, on the outside, give an appearance of being happy to serve JAH. So many do. We all know that most JWs do (I am reminded of that silly video with everyone running around, clapping and dancing to Pharrell Williams' song Happy - having been one of them once, I know way better that that "happiness" is a crock of... well, ya'll know. Talk about your facades...). Yet, inside, we b*tch, whine, moan, complain, and generally take exception to what we have to do to ["be pleasing to God"]. I can understand it with religion - look at all of the frickin' LAWS they put upon people, the burdens - WHO CAN STAND? Not even those among them who "seat themselves in the seat of Moses." Matthew 23:2-7, 13-36
He is not asking ANYONE, though, to be obedient to the point of giving our lives, shedding out blood, FOR Him or anyone else. He is only asking us to LISTEN to and so follow His Son's voice. And what does that Voice say to us? Go to meetings? Out in field service? Place such and so many publications? Do pennance? Attend confessional? Wear long skirts and coverings on our heads? Stay away from strangers and hang out only with those who think like/believe as you do? Light candles? Wear special robes? Honor certain men and lift up and follow them? Treat your family members poorly, perhaps even deny them, if they don't agree with/think like you do?
WE "suffer" in two ways: one, when we deny our flesh it's desires because we're TRYING to do what is right [in the eyes of God] because we want to LIVE (forever); and because of sin and so death exists IN that flesh, which makes it an enemy of the "man" we TRULY are (on the inside), the spirit being we are... and more so the one we will become.
Christ suffered... for US. For OUR sins. Suffered... by DENYING his flesh what it wanted... so as to be ABLE to give his blood for us. He was without sin in SPIRIT... because he DID listen. And through listening, learned to be obedient (to JAH)... so that he COULD be the One to give his life for us.
Sorry, dear ones, but in my jobs I have listened to a LOT of complaining from a LOT of folks over the years. And still do. It comes with doing what I do. And sometimes, it's just too much for me. In those instances, all I can think is... "babies in Rwanda are dying." Eye-ee... "Really? Do you REALLY have something to complain about?"
The pic dear Armand (peace to you, dear brother, and THANK you for posting that!) shared above takes it a step further for me... beyond those I deal with at work to those I come in contact with for other reasons. Praise JAH, though, we have One who speaks to US and leads US... and about whom we have learned, if we truly have... that IT... IS... NOT... ABOUT... US... and our (often) petty little problems. I do not mean those problems that deserve our attention (i.e., we/someone we love is chronically or perhaps even terminally ill... or even dying/has died). THOSE... are problems. EVERYTHING else, however, is not a problem. NOT... if we truly LISTEN to Christ's words about not being anxious ABOUT ANYTHING... for JAH already knows what we need and will provide it.
Do you BELIEVE that he spoke the TRUTH?
I, personally, can testify that, at least as to me and MY household... he has. What, then, is the point of complaining... about ANYTHING?
Sorry, just having "one of those days." If I told you all the kinds of complaints I get, you'd be hard-pressed to believe it.
Please forgive my candor... and peace to you all!
YSSFS of Christ,
Shel
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