"God's unutterable waste of saints"

"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." [1Peter 4:19]

How blessed it is to know that, even if I am completely "useless" in the world's view, I am loved and precious to God. My suffering in life has been small, I think. Being under-employed these days takes its toll. I'm trying to trust my Lord, whose preamble to the Sermon on the Plain was,

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." [Lk 6:20]

Suffering people tend to want (and think they deserve or need) sympathy. But my mentor (O.C.) says "sympathy enervates", and I believe it.

What then? God just wants his saints to suffer? He puts us in these places where we are helpless and dejected so that we can merely glorify Him? Exactly. He "wastes" us (in the world's view). As Paul wrote in 1Cor 4:9,

"For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men."

Why would our loving Lord "waste" his saints, instead of making us rich and honored among men, powerful, influential? Why did our Lord Jesus have to be a Savior who was rejected and cast out by all the wise and powerful? Why would we want to follow him?

Because we are "living sacrifices". That is our calling; that is our greatest glory. "The first shall be last and the last first." To be like Him is our greatest aim, not to be like Bill Gates or Ted Kennedy. So we are sacrificed for our generation.

I believe the result is good for our nation and community. It isn't a tangible "usefulness" or success; we don't get any pats on the back for being living sacrifices. But GOD sees our lives, and blesses all around us. He "blesses those who bless us, and curses those who curse us." He pours out his help all around us. I know this is true, though I will not try to prove it. He promised, that's enough.

Still I see the evidence that it is so, though successes of a tangible sort in my life and ministry and family are hard to enumerate. I see his blessing on my community, my neighborhood, in the businesses I frequent, the schools I send my children to, the friends I have who accept me (despite my eccentricities). I experience God's help in almost everything I put my hand to for my company, th0ugh it wasn't always appreciated in the past. So I know God's promise is true, and in his time, he will bear fruit, not just a little but MUCH fruit. [Jn 15:8]

I noticed that the garlic, okra, apples and grapes did very well this year, though it was especially hot and dry. Like those bumper crops, I know God will help us more in the leanest of times, and grow His church. Praise be to our great Creator, who is faithful to keep his promises in us. Lord, show me how to "continue to do good", though I'm worried about many things and tempted to hunker down in survival mode. Show me how to be generous to my children, though we have little for the time. Provide for our needs here in Charlottesville, if you would have us remain here (as we hope). And renew my faith that you will bless me and my family, though we deserve nothing good. Glory be to your holy Name, Lord Jesus. Hosanna!