I found some notes on a class I taught years ago on Habakkuk, one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament. He really speaks to our times.  Habakkuk recognizes like we do, that the enemy makes power their God. He tells God, “We are your people and we are not nearly as bad as these enemies who are defeating us. When are you going to free us?” And God answers, “This will end at my appointed time. You have to wait for it. The proud think they should have it their own way, but the righteous live by faith.”

And in Matthew 16:21-28, when Jesus begins to warn his disciples about his coming suffering and death, Peter says, “This must never happen to you, Lord.”

Habakkuk was upset about God letting his chosen people suffer. Peter was shocked at the idea of God letting His Son, the chosen one, suffer and die.

Jesus not only rebukes Peter, He calls him Satan! Ouch!!  It sounds to me like Jesus was experiencing this as a temptation himself. But then Jesus says, “If ANY want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

As American Christians many of us have bought into the American dream of happiness and prosperity in our life on earth. After all, we are the good guys. We are the chosen. What’s with this suffering?

Guess what? Jesus did not suffer on earth so that we would not have to suffer on earth! Remember what the early Christians faced? When did we decide that because we “Follow Jesus,” we shouldn’t suffer on earth?  When did we decide that loving others enough to suffer for them wasn’t on our to do list?

What makes us as Christians, think it’s just about claiming Jesus as Savior, but not following in His journey as Lord? I did Christian work, I was kind to people, I grew in my ability to love another person more than myself. But the call to let go of the life I thought we had earned for our later years has been much much harder. 

I’ve been listening to caregivers for parents or spouses with Alzheimer’s on line.  Over and over, one person or couple are carrying all the burden because their siblings or children want to enjoy their hard-earned retirement. It seems the idea that we work to earn atime of pleasure without suffering or responsibility for others while we are still here on earth is the American Dream even for many Christians.

I had hoped to find some meaning in my journey of having Alzheimer’s by sharing what I’m learning by being on both sides of it. But I realize only the grace of God can get people through either side of this.

Jesus never promised the Apostles or disciples a heaven on earth. He said, “Accept your cross to follow me.”

His spiritual journey was one of constantly expanding whom he should actively care about: the soldier of the enemy government – who do we consider supporters of the enemy government?  He cared about the lepers of his time. Who are the lepers of our time? Who are our heretic Samaritans? Who are like the traditional Jews who clung to the laws instead of learning to love? Who are those controlled by their inner demons? Who are the old and fragile widows outlivingtheir financial security and their mental acuity? Jesus cared about all of them. And now….. we are his hands and feet.

I confess, I did not realize that when I signed up for Jesus as Lord, not  just as Savior, what a big difference there is in those, But, like Thomas, if this is my cross where Jesus is leading, I will have to pray constantly for grace to follow, because I can not do this on my own.