Beyond Comfort

Peter's audience were suffering for the cause of their mission. This isn't the case for most American churches. When we do suffer, many Christians view the trial as a punishment or inconvenience. Yet Peter tells us to neither be surprised nor hurt by suffering, but rather joyful. The early church members were no strangers to suffering, and neither should our local congregation be strangers. They were told that their suffering was a cause for rejoicing because they were actually sharing in the suffering of Jesus. Are we willing to be involved with the mission of the church, to find our calling, answer the call, and get beyond our own comfort? A trader is someone who is willing to get beyond comfort and into the fray. A trader is willing to trade comfort for trial.