27May16

Hebrews 5:8
Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

As I sat in a three hour long convoy traveling at 10 miles per hour (just about top speed) through the streets of Korea at 2300 hours my back was screaming at me. You see, we were told that we needed to wear our body armor for the entire trip. At first that wasn't an issue but, when you sit in the same position with those plates digging into your back for a while it really starts to get uncomfortable. So, about two hours into the trip the pain directed my thoughts to the question... why? Why on earth are we wearing body armor on a four hour trip through the peaceful streets of S. Korea? What's the purpose of this? Do they think someone is going to shoot at me here tonight? I knew that if I uttered the question out loud I would get a response similar to many things in the army... "because it's good Army training Hooah."

Often times when I find myself in pain, in suffering, I reach out for that one question... "why?" Or a variation in the form of "why me?" When I read the above verse I am reminded that Jesus suffered... a lot. In His pain He cried out, "My God My God Why..." It's not wrong to ask the question "why?" But, the Bible answers that question for us on multiple occasions. For Jesus it was for the purpose of obedience. Can you imagine that? You endure pain so that you can learn just to obey... sounds like Basic training all over again. Sometimes asking the question why is answered with a simple answer of... "so you can learn to obey." Do you have a heart that will accept this answer? Will you obey or is your heart in rebellion?