Learning to be Content Day 3

Psalm 116:1
Psalm 34:8
1 John 4: 18-20

The novel "Silence" written by Shusaka Endo (later adapted into a 2016 film) deals with the subject of its own title. The main character Rodrigues experiences a personal crisis of faith as he deals with the lack of action/silence of God while his Catholic brethren are tortured and martyred. He wrestles with God "where is your intervention? where is your faithfulness? have your people not proved you enough? It's not until near the conclusion in which Rodrigues is brought to a closer understanding of God. Maybe something more protestant??? Jesus lived in obedience to His father and yet still suffered. This reveals to Rodrigues that God understands suffering just as much as he does and that despite His sovereignty and immense glory also suffers alongside His followers. 

Both the book and film are deeply personal to me and I figured my personal intake encapsulates these 3 verses. It's difficult to love others and sometimes difficult to love God because of His apparent distance and silence. But He sent His son who lived, suffered and died. He knows and understands my insecurities and pain. So when I rebel or place contentment in earthly values, I can furthermore comprehend the enormity of the forgiveness offered. For this i'm reaffirmed that God is good beyond my understanding.

Prayer/response:
- put my identity in Christ
- acknowledge the purpose of my past and stop seeing it as a loss
- Be a responsible drinker, do not stumble potential believer. May I truly represent Christ to Jasmine and her friends