Just Give me Easy

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In Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "The Cost of Discipleship," he writes about sorrow as he reflects on the Beatitudes.

He says that disciples do not need to go out of their way "to look for suffering . . ." Disciples, "simply bear the suffering which comes their way as they try to follow Jesus Christ, and bear it for "his" sake."

Bonhoeffer says that "Sorrow cannot tire them [disciples] or wear them down, it cannot embitter them or cause them to break down under the strain; far from it, for they bear their sorrow in the strength of him who bears them up, who bore the whole suffering of the world upon the cross."

For anyone who has grown tired of their physical pain, mental stress or exhaustion, it really isn't a very far walk to "breaking down under the strain." Many people, I think, are right on the edge.

If we are being honest, we just want easy, don't we? Give us peace. Let us be free from all of the struggles. Make it all just go away.

But when you read this reflection by Bonhoeffer, you quickly realize that if you are looking for "easy" you are in the wrong "club." 

Discipleship is never easy.

It does make it a little easier when we know that our journey is shared with Christ. While it may be difficult to live the life of a disciple, ultimately we must learn to embrace the suffering and sorrow as a cross that we bear. Joy is being able to offer it up for others, remembering that Christ offered himself up for us.

If you are ready to "break down under the strain," draw on the strength of Jesus to help you get through.

Janet Cassidy

Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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