Do not believe that he who seeks to comfort you lives untroubled among the simple and quiet words that sometimes do you good.
His life has much difficulty and sadness and remains far behind yours. Were it otherwise he would never have been able to find those words.”
— Rainer Maria Rilke
Letters to a Young Poet
This quote from the 19th century Bohemian poet makes me think, first, of the life Christ lived for us.
He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. We sometimes forget.
He did not consider equality with God as something to cling to, but instead he humbled himself, taking on the nature of a servant, becoming obedient, even to the point of death.
He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. He suffered for our sins, that by his stripes we may be healed.
And it is this attitude of humble, sacrificial service that Paul calls us to imitate.
I also think of how Rilke’s words apply to those in ministry, especially the preaching / teaching ministry.
It is through the struggles we face and the challenges we endure that God is able to give us the necessary words that can offer strength and hope to others.
We’re often tempted to ask, “Why is it necessary that I endure this hardship?”
Let’s consider the answer might be: “Because the people you’re called to serve will someday need to learn, from you, how to overcome this same kind of challenge.”
