Moving to intermediate

I was reminded yesterday that to move from beginning Christianity to intermediate the road sign says, "Suffering ahead."

That is a hard concept for us in America. We do all we can to avoid suffering. I am not advocating self flagellation, I am thinking that we are called to enter into the joy of Jesus which is a joy undergirded by the fact that we have died to self. When we do that, when we lay down the privilege we have and go at risk we are able to lean wholly on Him and that is where true joy is found.  A twinge of momentary suffering is needed to make the leap.

So can I encourage you to think about moving down the road? When many travel together, it makes the journey better. Blessings