I Didn't Sign Up for This

Daily Reading:  Mark 9

If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. (Mark 9.35)

Devotional Thought: Have you ever thought (or perhaps said!), "I didn't sign up for this."  It's usually when reality does not meet your expectations, or the way is not as easy as you had been led to believe.

Being a disciple of Jesus was not easy back in New Testament times.  His original followers expected a great Warrior-King who would rescue them from their oppressors.  So ingrained was this notion, that they couldn’t comprehend Jesus’ words about the cross.  Though he plainly told them numerous times about his death and resurrection, they still envisioned Jesus sitting on an earthly throne.  They signed up for the glory.  Things didn't turn out that way.

Being a disciple of Jesus still isn’t easy.  Many Christians have mistaken impressions of what it means to follow Jesus, just as did those first disciples.  We sign up for the glory.  We don't want to hear about the cross we must take up.  Yet, Jesus has made it abundantly clear that in this world, we will have trouble, experience rejection, and face persecution. 

But that is not the end of the story!  We do expect a future glory.  "Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory" (Romans 8.17, NIV)

Didn't sign up for this?  Don't fret.  You signed up for something better!

Jenny Wade

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for making me your child.  When crosses come my way, help me to remember that I am a co-heir with you and will share in your glory one day.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 6.6-10

6 I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.

7 My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.

8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.

9 The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer.

10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.