I wonder sometimes what my whole life will look like when it's over. I wonder whats ahead of me. I'm so used to living in peace and prosperity (aka: being an american)
that i wonder how long it will last. I have a deep love for history (genetically passed on from my dad) and its a fact that suffering plays the biggest role. When will America's turn come? Will it, in my lifetime? It seems almost definate. I know Jesus was talking about the fall of Jerusalem when He said "Woe to those with child or who give suck in those days" but I wonder sometimes it that will ever apply to me. I worry about my children-what pain will they face? Because they will face pain-of one kind or another. By the way, I'm reading Rise and Fall of the Third Reich right now, so i'm pretty gloomy. I mean, my gosh, the anti-christ will be worse than THAT!!!! But whenever I start getting scared of the future, of death, of my children being hurt, this great hope and trust rises up in me and I actually get HAPPY. Because my times are in His hands, and He does all things well.
I equate death will childbirth. death will probably hurt, however it comes, but the result: Glorious.
And any suffering I undergo He can use for His glory. Everyone suffers, but our suffering is given a purpose and meaning.
And we have the Good Sheperd to carry us through.