Monday, August 13th
One day when they were together in Galilee, Jesus said to the man, "The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men: they will put Him to death, and on the third day He will be raised to life again."
Matthew 11:22-23
Jesus said, "A servant is not greater than his master: if they persecuted Me they will persecute you too, because they do not know the One who sent Me"
John 15:20

The way of faith and loving commitment is the way of fulfilment. It is also the way of pain. There is no growth without response to that which engenders it, and such involves a moving away from the known and familiar to new heights and horizons. And with new horizons come new challenges with growth to meet them and the accompanying sacrifice and some pain. And all is contained in the Father's loving care and love: the sacrifice and pain are the foundation of further growth.

And I have shown the way to new horizons of loving through My life and death. So do I call all who call Me Lord to follow in My steps, finding new challenges, receiving the resources to meet them, and knowing the increasing demands of self-giving in responding to them in and through My unfailing love.

And some there are amongst My beloved committed ones whom I call to share in some small part the pain of Man's rebellion. As they identify in suffering, so are they rewarded in victory. So is the wholeness bestowed upon them through My saving love a way into life for many who would otherwise have perished on the way.