The Treasure I was made for

 "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." -Acts 5:41

Suffering is not something we typically rejoice in. It's not something that makes us humans happy or that causes us to thrive.

And if someone were to say we were entirely deserving of our sufferings that would be an insult.

"Excuse me? I deserve better!"

But the apostles were looking at it from a different vantage point, and how they saw it caused much joy and made them thrive.
Thriving implies that you are fully experiencing what you were made for.

Was I made for suffering? Thankfully, no. BUT. I was made for the treasure that is found IN the suffering.

There is treasure in darkness that won't be found in the light.

When all you have is a deep dark cave to mine, gold, silver and precious stones can be found.

For all that distracted you from the search has been stripped away.

You can throw yourself fully into digging for the true, heavenly treasures you were made for.

Nothing holds you back- suffering has removed it from you.

You can be all in.

Pain reminds you that the illusion of security you had was just that.

The real thing is in the darkness just below your feet.

So don't cower before the cave of suffering. Rejoice.
God is leading you straight to the treasure you were made for- He is making it possible for His life to thrive abundantly in you.
And He counts you worthy -entirely deserving in Christ- to find this treasure for yourself.

He is causing you to let go of those things you thought you were made for so you can grab ahold of Him with all your strength, for He is the real deal.

His presence is what we need. His life is ours to embrace. We were made for Him, and often, the only way we will truly know His intimate, unfailing love for us is through the doorway of suffering.

This is why we too can rejoice in the challenges and sufferings we face -no matter the size. They are where we can find what we were truly made for. They are where we find out for ourselves that He is nearer to us than the air we breathe. 

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