I don't usually expect shoulder taps from God while I am binging on Netflix. Probably another failure on my part. My daughter thinks a dose of Netflix or just movie watching in general was always good for the soul. Today, she was right, I wish you could see her face when she knew she was right and we had to tell her she was right. Sometimes she was incredulous with wide green eyes that we had just caught up and other times she us unaffected and smugly perturbed that we were indeed that slow.
This prayer, offered by an African father living in the 21st century without electricity or running water, poignantly reminded me that we are to develop a theology of suffering. His sincerity of faith stood in bold contrast to the bleak existence he eaked out as a maize farmer in Malawi, and yet its sharp contrast to my prayers shamed me.
The movie is fantastic, illustrating the tremendous love of family, the heritage of farming, the courage and initiative of a young man, the power of learning, and the indelible strength of the human spirit. I am told the book is even better and that there is a children's version of the story as well. Called "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind", the movie exemplified our pastor's words for me - "We need to cultivate a theology of suffering."
Where I do not expect to suffer, this gentleman farmer did. He knew of life's hardships and he asked God to "fight for him". Of all I have ever asked of God, I have never thought to ask him that. I have felt the desperation and prayed simple short cries for help - but I have never prayed that he would fight for us.
Dear Lord -continue to fight for us so that we may endure whatever hardship that comes. So much different from - please save us. It offers a different mindset, and includes the expectation that we will endure.
Hardships will come.
We acknowledge our loss every day - generally in the quiet of our own hearts as it is a burden we resist laying on others. But he fights for us - because so many good people pray - we have been fought over and for and we endure.
That he fights for us is a good thing....
Exodus 14:14 - "The Lord will fight for you..."
#golighttheworld
#bestrongandcourageous