The spiritually mature apostle Paul said, “For my determined purpose is that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection[ which it exerts over the believer], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness]”(Philippieans3:10). Paul understood that for him to know the wonders of Jesus more deeply and for him to be gradually transformed into Christ likeness, there would be times he would experience the overflowing power of His resurrection, and He also knew that he must be willing to experience and be intimately connected with Jesus while pressing through times of suffering.
We all shout “hallelujah” with the thought of experiencing the passion of God’s resurrection power! When we feel His glorious presence- when we experience His powerful healing- when we walk in joyous faith- when with the voice of triumph, we shout praises unto God- when He faithfully brings us through trying times- when prayers are answered-and when His love reigns and pushes fear out of our lives. During these victorious times we experience the power of His resurrection, we feel and we know He is with us, and we understand He is close and part of our joyous reality and glorious eternal future.
On the other hand, knowing and fellowshipping with Christ during suffering and through hard times does not sound so inviting to our natural man. Yet, there will be seasons of suffering that will come to all of us that live on fallen planet earth. Paul said that during times of suffering it is God’s desire to come close, feel the pain with us, and do a transforming miracle of grace, by giving our hearts a settled place of peace and rest, even in the midst of the hard. It would not be called suffering, if it was not hard. He wants us trust Him and fellowship with Him, during these hard times, as we press deeper into His wounded side. He desires we learn about this kind of fellowship to increase our personal faith, and that He may also use us to fellowship in the sufferings of others, who are hurting, broken, defeated, and not be afraid. God’s ability to transform, overcome, and reign through the power of His steadfast love defeats the negative consequences of suffering, and is the overcoming victory He gives to those whose determined purpose is to know Him in a deeper way!
Yet when suffering comes personally or to others we care about, we have the human tendency to run away from feelings that make us feel afraid or out of control. Without realizing what we are doing, many times we cover fear with anger or hurt with self-pity or we question the goodness of God, which keeps us from seeing the gracious and lasting plans He has created for each of us individually. It is important that during times of fear, suffering or confusion that we don’t run away from God. We must run to Him with our whole heart and pour out our discombobulated raw emotions onto Him – allowing Him to come close and feel them with us. Through this powerful connection, God’s amazing grace will be worked into our hearts and minds, and in time, a settling rest will enter our hearts and souls. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, and this work will eventually help us grow in faith and in an intimate Oneness with Christ. We are God’s workmanship and He will never leave or forsake us- He will continue the work He began! So, let us run with passion towards His abundance so that we may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called us to fulfill and wants us to discover. (Philippians3:12).
