Embracing Suffering: Radical Acceptance in Advent

 

Summary

In this Advent season, we reflect on the profound concept of radical acceptance, inspired by the incarnation of Jesus. This acceptance invites us to embrace life in its entirety, including both joy and suffering, without judgment or rejection. The incarnation teaches us that we can accept God's love and grace, even in our suffering, and that we don't have to resist our circumstances. This acceptance doesn't mean passivity in the face of suffering; if we can alleviate it, we should. However, much suffering is beyond our control, and it is here that the incarnation offers us a way to offer our suffering to God.

Paul's words to Timothy, "Join with me in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ," remind us that our suffering has purpose and hope. We are part of a cause greater than ourselves, much like a soldier or a pilgrim on a journey. Advent is not just a time to look back nostalgically at past Christmases or the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, but to look forward to His return. This forward-looking hope allows us to receive His presence now and offer our suffering to Him.

The story of Israel, from slavery in Egypt to the exile in Babylon, illustrates how God uses suffering to birth greater dreams. The exile, a catastrophic event, was used by God to prepare for a new kind of kingdom, one not of earthly power but of divine love, inaugurated by Jesus. This teaches us that our world cannot be fixed by human means alone; it requires divine intervention.

In our personal exiles—whether they be health, family, financial struggles, or regrets—we are invited to trust in God's redemptive power. We are called to a long obedience in the same direction, like a soldier or a pilgrim, trusting that God will redeem our suffering and create a new heaven and a new earth. This Advent, let us offer our suffering to God, knowing that He will see to its redemption.

Key Takeaways:

1. Radical Acceptance: Embracing radical acceptance means welcoming all aspects of life, including suffering, without judgment. This acceptance is rooted in the incarnation of Jesus, which teaches us to accept God's love and grace in every circumstance. By doing so, we can live in a spirit of surrender, trusting that God can work through our pain. [00:24]

2. Purpose in Suffering: Our suffering is not without purpose. Like a soldier or a pilgrim, we are part of a greater cause, and our suffering can contribute to that mission. This perspective transforms our pain into a meaningful journey, aligning us with God's greater plan. [02:09]

3. Advent's Forward Hope: Advent is a season of looking forward to Christ's return, not just reminiscing about His birth. This forward-looking hope empowers us to receive His presence now and offer our suffering to Him, trusting in His redemptive power. [02:58]

4. God's Greater Dream: The story of Israel's exile teaches us that God uses suffering to birth greater dreams. Our personal exiles can be transformed by God's intervention, leading to a new kind of kingdom characterized by divine love and justice. [06:05]

5. Long Obedience: We are called to a long obedience in the same direction, trusting in God's redemptive power. This journey, like that of a soldier or pilgrim, requires perseverance and faith, knowing that God will ultimately redeem our suffering and create a new heaven and earth. [10:43]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:24] - Radical Acceptance and Advent
- [01:04] - Accepting Suffering
- [01:54] - Suffering with Purpose
- [02:34] - Advent's Forward Hope
- [03:26] - Tourist vs. Pilgrim
- [04:24] - Israel's Story and Exile
- [05:34] - God's Greater Dream
- [06:46] - New Heaven and New Earth
- [07:31] - Embracing Personal Exile
- [08:16] - Long Obedience in the Same Direction
- [09:01] - Suffering and Hope
- [10:14] - Nietzsche and Peterson
- [11:27] - Jesus' Invasion of Love
- [12:00] - Community Engagement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Radical Acceptance and Advent

Bible Reading:

1. 2 Timothy 2:3 - "Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus."
2. Isaiah 65:17 - "See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind."

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the concept of radical acceptance relate to the incarnation of Jesus as discussed in the sermon? [00:24]

2. What does Paul mean when he invites Timothy to "join with me in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ"? [01:54]

3. How does the story of Israel's exile illustrate God's use of suffering to birth greater dreams? [05:34]

4. What is the significance of Advent being a season of looking forward rather than just looking back? [02:58]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the incarnation of Jesus enable believers to accept suffering in their lives? [01:41]

2. How can the metaphor of a soldier or pilgrim help believers find purpose in their suffering? [02:20]

3. What does the promise of a new heaven and a new earth in Isaiah 65:17 mean for believers experiencing personal exiles today? [06:46]

4. How does the sermon suggest that suffering can be transformed into a meaningful journey aligned with God's greater plan? [02:09]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a current situation in your life where you are experiencing suffering. How can you practice radical acceptance in this situation, trusting in God's love and grace? [00:51]

2. Consider a time when you felt like a tourist in your spiritual journey, seeking experiences rather than growth. How can you shift your mindset to that of a pilgrim, focused on a long obedience in the same direction? [03:40]

3. Identify an area of your life where you feel exiled, such as health, family, or finances. How can you offer this suffering to God, trusting in His redemptive power? [07:31]

4. How can the forward-looking hope of Advent change the way you approach your daily life and challenges? What practical steps can you take to live with this hope? [02:58]

5. Think about a relationship or situation you cannot change. How can you practice acceptance and surrender in this area, while still seeking God's guidance for any possible actions you can take? [07:45]

6. How can you support others in your community who are experiencing their own personal exiles, offering them hope and encouragement? [12:00]

7. Reflect on the idea of a "long obedience in the same direction." What is one specific area in your life where you need to persevere, and how can you commit to this journey with faith? [10:43]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Life's Fullness Through Radical Acceptance
Radical acceptance invites us to embrace all aspects of life, including suffering, without judgment or rejection. This concept is deeply rooted in the incarnation of Jesus, which teaches us to accept God's love and grace in every circumstance. By doing so, we can live in a spirit of surrender, trusting that God can work through our pain. This acceptance does not mean passivity; rather, it encourages us to alleviate suffering when possible. However, when suffering is beyond our control, the incarnation offers a way to offer our suffering to God, trusting in His redemptive power. [00:24]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to accept God's love and grace? How can you begin to embrace this area with radical acceptance today?


Day 2: Finding Purpose in Suffering
Our suffering is not without purpose. Like a soldier or a pilgrim, we are part of a greater cause, and our suffering can contribute to that mission. This perspective transforms our pain into a meaningful journey, aligning us with God's greater plan. By joining in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, we find hope and purpose, knowing that our struggles are part of a larger narrative. This understanding encourages us to persevere, trusting that God will use our suffering for His glory and our growth. [02:09]

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:17, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How can you view this experience as part of God's greater plan for your life?


Day 3: Advent's Forward-Looking Hope
Advent is a season of looking forward to Christ's return, not just reminiscing about His birth. This forward-looking hope empowers us to receive His presence now and offer our suffering to Him, trusting in His redemptive power. By focusing on the future, we are reminded that our current struggles are temporary and that God's ultimate plan is one of redemption and renewal. This hope encourages us to live with anticipation and faith, knowing that Christ's return will bring about a new heaven and a new earth. [02:58]

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a forward-looking hope in your daily life, especially during times of difficulty?


Day 4: God's Greater Dream Through Suffering
The story of Israel's exile teaches us that God uses suffering to birth greater dreams. Our personal exiles, whether they be health, family, financial struggles, or regrets, can be transformed by God's intervention. This transformation leads to a new kind of kingdom characterized by divine love and justice. By trusting in God's redemptive power, we can see our suffering as a catalyst for greater dreams and a deeper understanding of His love. [06:05]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a personal "exile" you are experiencing. How might God be using this situation to birth greater dreams in your life?


Day 5: Persevering in Long Obedience
We are called to a long obedience in the same direction, trusting in God's redemptive power. This journey, like that of a soldier or pilgrim, requires perseverance and faith, knowing that God will ultimately redeem our suffering and create a new heaven and earth. By committing to this path, we align ourselves with God's greater plan and find strength in His promises. This perseverance is not passive but active, requiring us to continually seek God's guidance and trust in His timing. [10:43]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to practice long obedience? How can you take a step towards perseverance today?

Quotes

"Radical acceptance we're in the advent season we're looking forward to Christmas and all that we celebrate then and learning how it is that the incarnation of Jesus makes it possible for me to be able to accept to live in a spirit of surrender I can't but God can to be open to all of life to what is good but also what is painful to not have to go around judging or rejecting other people to be able to accept them just as God has accepted me to be able to accept God's love in my own life I don't have to reject myself I don't have to resist negative feelings I can recognize God in them I don't have to resist my circumstances." [00:18:88]

"The idea of accepting suffering doesn't mean that anything that comes back into my life I just have to passively accept if you can stop suffering and there's no good reason not to then by all means do it my friend Kevin hey Kevin just went through rotator coat cuff surgery and uh he's suffering a little bit he's got pain medication to help with that but he's like the bionic man now he is increasingly artificial and so by all means if you can do that do that but there's lots of suffering that we cannot change and the incarnation of Jesus his entering into human life and even human suffering enables us to offer our suffering to him." [00:70:08]

"Paul writing to young Timothy second Timothy the second chapter and Paul says accept suffering then or join with me in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ now you may have never thought about that as a Christmas verse but it actually is we experience suffering not as people that have no purpose not as people that have no hope but the way that a soldier does the soldier recognizes I am part of a cause that is much greater than myself and whatever suffering that I endure can go into that." [00:112:08]

"This season of advent is a time Fleming Rutledge writes about this in a wonderful little book called advent this season is a time when we don't just look back often in advent we think about Christmases that we really liked a lot when we were growing up we get kind of nostalgic or we think about when Jesus came the first time in Bethlehem but Fleming writes the primary direction of the advent season throughout most of the history of the church has not been looking back it's actually looking forward to when he is coming again and it is the hope that comes from looking at when he is going to return that it enables me to receive his coming right now in this moment and to offer my suffering to him." [00:151:84]

"Peterson says that you can either go through life as a tourist or as a pilgrim and if you're a tourist you think life is just about a collection of great experiences entertain me wow me impress me let me get some good souvenirs let me go on Instagram and show you what a wonderful life I am leading what great experiences I am collecting what fabulous appetites I'm satisfying but a pilgrim kind of like a soldier is on our way to something and that something is not just a geographical destination it is life in God's presence and God's power in God's favor when I become a person that I am not yet and the way for all of this was cleared by suffering." [00:212:72]

"In Israel for many many centuries God made sense and the way that history was unfolded unfolding made sense and seemed to be leading some place a lot the way that often it does in our life I go to school I graduate maybe I get married maybe I get a job so that I can experience a really good life well for Israel what that looked like was this uh their story began in slavery in Egypt but then God acted and they were freed and there was the exodus and then they were led to mount Sinai and they got Torah they got the ten commandments and then they went to the promised land they crossed the Jordan and then there were a series of judges like Gideon and Samson and then they got kings king David above all and then all of this life made sense and they were on their way to being a great nation maybe the greatest nation and then there was kind of a hiccup and the kingdom was divided then the north and south and then and then and then came the absolute disrupter and that was the exile and they lost everything they lost the promised land they lost the monarchy they were ground under the heel of these powerful oppressors in Babylon and what they did not know what no one could have guessed was God was going to use the exile the death of one dream to give birth to a much greater but very surprising dream that he would begin another kind of kingdom and it wouldn't be an earthly kingdom so that idea that Israel had we can be like other nations only greater more powerful militarily greater economic wealth they would have to die to that so that one day the earth could be invaded by a little child named Jesus and the government would be upon his shoulders but it would not be a earthly government and this is why uh politics is forever extremely limited in our day because our world needs to be fixed from the outside." [00:278:64]

"God says behold I am creating a new heaven and a new earth see they would not have known the need for that if it were not for the exile God says I will create a new Jerusalem fixing up Jerusalem fixing up America fixing up California fixing up wherever you are is not an earthly project it can only be done by God and he has begun that little invasion through the person of Jesus and Jesus came in suffering love to take on our sufferings and what that means is whatever exile I am experiencing right now I can accept yep change it if I can if there's repairs make them if there's a relationship that I can help restore restore it but sometimes I can't sometimes there is a relationship that I cannot fix sometimes there is a failure that I cannot retrieve that I cannot set right and then I come as a pilgrim and then I trust I don't have to try to make my suffering look less than it is I don't have to indulge in self-pity and have the spirit of a martyr I give a long obedience in the same direction I continue on like a soldier like a pilgrim." [00:403:28]

"Esau Macaulay who is an African American professor of New Testament at Wheaton College my old alma mater wrote a book called reading while black African-American biblical interpretation as an exercise in hope and he writes about while he is seeking to provide a really good childhood for his children one of the things that he's recognizing is he says I cannot help believing that my children have lost something the determination born of suffering I wish I could give them that feeling he writes about how when he grew up in poverty without a dad that suffering was the context from which my mother taught me about the value of education it formed the background of my pastor's sermons in black churches of my youth it's in the New York Times the only God I have ever known was one who cared about my black body and my black soul that suffering was a unifying factor in all my deepest friendships." [00:541:04]

"Peterson writes about how he read that phrase in Frederick Nietzsche Nietzsche of course was not a believer in God he was an atheist and he believed in the will to power that if you just majestically choose what you want to do with your life and then stick to it merely a long obedience in the same direction will make your worth life worthwhile and Peterson says no it's in the direction of Jesus the one who came to give his life and suffer for us interestingly enough that book itself was rejected by 17 publishers before somebody accepted it Eugene himself was a model of a long obedience in the same direction so that's the invitation of advent today I want to invite you to think about an area where you are experiencing exile maybe it's your health maybe it's your family maybe it's financial maybe it's regret for something wrong that you have done maybe it's one of those three o'clock in the morning demon Sam talks about that just kind of gnaws at you whatever it is it has been taken into the person of Jesus God incarnate who has invaded our world who in Bethlehem two thousand years ago established a little beach head and and the battle is his." [00:612:24]

"The god and the devil are engaged in a great war and the battlefield is in the human soul and so we accept our suffering and we offer it to god he will redeem it there will be a new heaven and a new earth he will see to it." [00:695:83]

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Transcript
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