A Bed of Roses or a Crown of Thorns?

“Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering.” – Theodore Roosevelt

On the surface, that sentiment seems a little strange, even contradictory, coming from someone with the last name Roosevelt. After all, Teddy was born into a wealthy family who frequently traveled abroad throughout Europe and even Egypt. And, after being homeschooled, Teddy was accepted at Harvard College, where his father instructed him to, "take care of your morals first, your health next, and finally your studies." When his father tragically died two years later, young Teddy inherited $60,000… the equivalent of $1.7 million today.

But peering below the surface, Teddy overcame a lot in his young life such as asthma and being bullied. And later, as a young man, he suffered the loss of his wife and his mother on the same day. In fact, Roosevelt was so distraught that he left his young daughter with his sister and headed west, where he lived the life of a rancher and frontiersman for several years while his broken heart healed.

I would hardly call that a life of ease.

God knows – and Teddy Roosevelt understood – that we learn life’s most important lessons amidst its deepest trials. It is in life’s valleys where we are forced to rely on God and God alone… and He wouldn’t have it any other way.

Joseph learned that lesson in prison and David while hiding in a cave from King Saul. So did Elijah while he was being chased by Queen Jezebel, and Jonah while languishing in the belly of a great fish.

And yet, there are some false teachers today who make a fortune peddling a prosperity gospel that is straight from the pit of hell itself. These ungodly men and women tickle the itching ears of their immature audiences by telling them that God wants them to “enjoy their best life now”, free of any physical pain or earthly discomfort.

That is so contrary to the world of God which states unequivocally in John 16:33 that, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” Thankfully, in the second part of that verse, Jesus offers His disciples some hope and makes them a promise. “But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

My friend, don’t fret when things don’t go your way or when life throws you a curve ball. After all, you are in very good company, because the Son of Man didn’t have a place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20) and the Apostle Paul had his share of mishaps (2 Corinthians 11:22-28). Also, rest assured that the only place where it really matters that your name is remembered is in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 20:15).

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’” Matthew 16:24 (NKJV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President