Christ's School

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also pedestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, He might be the first-born among many brethren; and who He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."

--

Romans 8:28-30

Today in chapel, I was reminded once again that God uses everything in our lives to conform us into the image of His Son. God has placed us on the earth to glorify Him with our lives. He prepares us for the service and ministry He has already planned for us.

I am attending Baptist Bible College to prepare for the mission field. I am being challenged by my professors and I am learning so much in my classes. However, what I am learning in the classroom is only one of the ways God is preparing me for future service. I so easily forget that everything He brings into my life is a way He is getting me ready to serve Him. Even though I struggle when God brings negative experiences into my life, it is for my good and the way God is making me like His Son and preparing me to serve Him.

The Bible is full of real life examples of people who poured out their lives in service to the Lord. However, when you take a closer look you see the struggles, suffering, hardships, and trials that God placed into these peoples lives to prepare them for the work He had planned for them.

Joseph of the Old Testament was hated by his brothers who sold him into slavery and then he was sent to prison under false accusations. God broke Joseph and striped him of every earthly comfort to prepare him to be second in command of Egypt.

King David also underwent many hardships and experienced great afflictions before God made Him king. God used hard things to prepare David for the job He had in mind.

God also prepares us in ways we do not even realize. He sends heartache and hurt into our lives for His purpose and for our good. We must embrace the pain because it is from God and it is good. We need to rejoice in the struggles---in the hardships and trials. Suffering is Christ's school to train to be His soldiers---His followers traveling heavenward.

More Like Christ

I want to share an excerpt from Elizabeth Prentiss' book Aunt Jane's Hero. Her words have been a source of encouragement as well as a challenge to me in my walk with the Lord. Enjoy!

"They were living to themselves: self, with its hopes, and promises, and dreams, still had hold of them; but the Lord began to fulfill their prayers. They had asked for contrition, and He had sent them sorrow; they had asked for purity, and He sent them thrilling anguish; they had asked to be meek, and He had broken their hearts; they had asked to be dead to the world, and He slew all their living hopes; they had asked to be made like unto Him, and He placed them in the furnace, siting by 'as a refiner of silver,' till they should reflect His image; they had asked to lay hold of His cross, and when He had reached it to them, it lacerated their hands. They had asked they knew not what, nor how; but He had taken them at their word, and granted them all their petitions. They were hardly willing to follow on so far, or to draw so nigh to Him . . . . They could almost pray Him to depart from them, or to hide His awefulness. They found it easier to obey than to suffer---to do than to give up---to bear the cross than to hang upon it: but they cannot go back, for they have come too near the unseen cross, and its virtues have pierced to deeply within them. . . .

"Little by little, from time to time, by flitting gleams the mystery of His cross shines upon them. They behold Him lifted up---they gaze on the glory which rays forth from the wounds of His holy passion; and as they gaze, thay advance, and are changed into His likeness, and His name shines out through them, for He dwells in them. They live alone with Him above, in unspeakable fellowship; willing to lack what others own, and to be unlike all, so that they are only like Him.

"Such are they in all ages who follow the lamb whithersoever He goeth. Had they chosen for themselves, or their friends chosen for them, they would have chosen otherwise. They would have been brighter here, but less glorious in His kingdom. They would have had lot's portion, not Abraham's. If they had halted anywhere---if He had taken off His hand, and let them stray back---what would they not have lost? What forefiets in the morning of the resurrection? But He stayed them up, even against themselves. Many a time their foot had well-nigh slipped; but He, in mercy, held them up; now , even in this life, they know all He did was done well. It was good for them to suffer here, for they shall reign hereafter---to bear the cross below, for they shall wear the crown above; and that not their will but His was done on them" (Elizabeth Prentiss, Aunt Jane's Hero)