I want to live my life with a pain in the neck.
An obvious question arises: why? Why on earth would anyone want to try and live with the discomfort of a sore neck?
Well, to me, the answer is just as obvious. You see, my dad (no he is not a pain in the neck!) spent years on his combine, but it was a 'pull-type' combine---one that you pulled around the field with your tractor. And the only way to operate this kind of combine was to turn sideways in the driver's seat of the tractor so as to be able to ensure that the swath was being properly picked up by the combine. Dad spent days and days at a time turned like this, with his neck craned around so as to combine his crops. But all that turning affected his neck so that it is somewhat sore and has lost some mobility.
When I think of Dad doing this, I think of commitment and sacrifice. It was Dad's commitment and sacrifice to take care of his family that caused him to get a pain in the neck--and he thought it well worth while!
I want to live my life with that same attitude--the kind of attitude that causes me to live with some discomfort and some pain for a greater cause--something bigger than me--something that has lasting meaning and purpose. I hope that I am living that way for my wife and for my family, but what I am ultimately hoping for is that I am living that way for my God.
1 Peter 3 talks about how amazing it is to be in a relationship with Jesus, that it is exciting to think about the day when He will return and how we will see the full benefit of being His sons and daughters. But then it says this: "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials."
Peter is reminding people that belonging to Jesus is wonderful but following Him can be a pain in the neck, but that it's worth it.
It's worth it because of the fact that the short-term pain is nothing compared to the long-term gain.
Dad knew that his sacrifice would cause him some pain, but it was for a really good reason. I want to live my life the same way. It might hurt a bit, but it sounds so much better---bigger---just.. . .worth it.
What do you think?
