For the March issue of In Touch Magazine, I take a closer look at the elements of the crucifixion and what we miss when we don’t study them intentionally.
If you’re interested in receiving a free subscription to the magazine, visit this page. You can also read the entire magazine online each month by visiting intouch.org/magazine.
Beautiful! As I’ve grown older and seen my son suffer immensely, I’ve come to look at the Cross differently. In class on law and theology the other day, students were talking about the possibilities of wiping out all pain and suffering in the world through genetic studies (e.g. stem cell research). Their question hit me hard: “If we can eliminate all pain and suffering in the world, aren’t we obligated to do so as Christians?” My response was “no.” No, we are obligated to love and care for those who are in pain and suffering, and, above all, we are obligated to treat them as the sacred beings they are. They didn’t seem to understand, but I believe they will one day. The lesson of the Cross is that suffering brings redemption, salvation. With suffering comes enormous blessings from God. If we’re not willing to embrace the suffering in life, as Jesus so humbly embraced more suffering than we could ever imagine, how are we to see God’s Grace, feel His peace and His mercy, and truly experience the salvation He offers us? If we’ve never suffered, how can we begin to see others through love, as sacred beings? As created in the Imago Dei? And as you’ve pointed out, if we are not willing to humble ourselves yet still remain strong in faith, take the “slings and arrows” that are thrown our way, we will never come close to understanding what it means to imitate Christ.
Well said, ma’am. Well said indeed. In the May issue, we’re doing a special report on how and why the church must take a more active role in ministering to families with members who have special needs. One interviewee mentioned that having them as members of the body was necessary because their physical state is a beautiful reminder of our spiritual one. When we minister to them, we are, in a sense, experiencing something akin to what Jesus experiences when reaching out to us. He makes no mistakes, and what we view as tragic He sees as triumph in the making. Your caring for your sweet boy always reminds me of this fact.
So true! And, to be honest, when we are ministering to them, we’re ministering to ourselves. I find that people who seem “broken” physically are often much stronger spiritually. There is no doubt in my mind that Dayne is so much closer to God than I could ever be, even though I desperately try to be closer to Him every day! I truly believe that, in God’s eyes, Dayne is perfection, not a mistake at all. We have so much to learn from those who have disabilities.
Gorgeous words from a gorgeous gal—inside and out.