Emmanuel Mennonite

What does suffering for Christ look like today?

Last night I was glad to meet with our K2 fellowship group to lead a discussion on "Jesus Calls: Believe in Me and Follow," which is the chapter I had written for the book, Jesus Matters.

It's been a long time since I wrote my first draft, but it was good to think through the subject once again, and to see it through new eyes--with a different perspective than me and my co-writer, Peter; a different perspective from the two editors, a different perspective from our young adult readers, a different perspective from the other groups and people I've talked to.

Our group discussion included the Matthew 4:18-25 account of Jesus calling his first disciples; the latest issue of the Canadian Mennonite; evangelism and peace and justice concerns in the Mennonite church; dealing with difficult people and other practical issues of daily life--all very much related to the central concern of God's call in our lives and following Jesus.

In response to the discussion question "what does suffering for Christ look like for us today?", there were a number of comments and stories--some comment on the reality of persecution and violence faced by some Christians; other comments on the cost of forgiveness and the challenge to follow Jesus in spite of criticism from others.  One commented, is suffering for Christ not so much physical for us, but more psychological and spiritual?  I'm still mulling that one over--what do you think?