Ever Feel Like A Piñata?
"Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:32-33)
Had a friend who posted a funny quote which made me laugh – “Have you ever had one of those days, when you’re holding a big stick and everybody looks like a piñata?”
I commented “No, but I have had days where I feel like the piñata and everyone else is holding a big stick”.
Life is designed to be the way it is. Sometimes we persecute, unintentionally I hope, and at other times we feel persecuted. So I began to think…what is meant by “tribulation” in the verses above. Well the Greek word is “thlipsis” and carries the idea of using pressure against something. I picture it as walking up a steep hill toward heaven against a cold 60 mile an hour wind. The easy thing to do would be to turn around and let the wind push you swiftly back down the hill into the church. To heck with that…I am going to keep my nose into the wind and speak the truth of the gospel as I understand it, regardless of how hard the religious wind wants to blow me back down to the valley.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven...” (Matthew 5:11-12)
Had a friend who posted a funny quote which made me laugh – “Have you ever had one of those days, when you’re holding a big stick and everybody looks like a piñata?”
I commented “No, but I have had days where I feel like the piñata and everyone else is holding a big stick”.
Life is designed to be the way it is. Sometimes we persecute, unintentionally I hope, and at other times we feel persecuted. So I began to think…what is meant by “tribulation” in the verses above. Well the Greek word is “thlipsis” and carries the idea of using pressure against something. I picture it as walking up a steep hill toward heaven against a cold 60 mile an hour wind. The easy thing to do would be to turn around and let the wind push you swiftly back down the hill into the church. To heck with that…I am going to keep my nose into the wind and speak the truth of the gospel as I understand it, regardless of how hard the religious wind wants to blow me back down to the valley.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven...” (Matthew 5:11-12)