Hurt by a friend
”Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy
are deceitful.” (Prov 27:6)
You are warmly welcome!
As seasons comes when we shall see no weddings, we shall hear no banns of marriage, hymns in minor keys will be sang, reflections on suffering will dominate, parties and feasting will reduce for many, and some will be seriously fasting. Lent is a few weeks away; Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, is on 05th March 2014. As a Christian and a member of the body of Christ, it is important that you plan to be part of the Lenten experience. Today is particularly opportune to reflect on self denial for the sake of the Kingdom of God as we remember former Archbishop Janani Luwum who was martyred in 1977; a statue to this modern martyr stands today at Westminster Abbey in London.
Pain is not good, it is not pleasant; but understanding the importance of everything we go through makes it all beneficial. Another version of Prov 27:6 says, “A friend means well even when he hurts …” Jesus’ experience went to the extreme: God is such a friend! He hurt his Son when he led him to the wilderness to fast for forty days; He hurt him even more when He sent him to the cross to die! Jesus endured all this, not because it was sweet and nice, but because even when there was so much pain, Jesus was sure that a loving Father meant well in all this. Paul also took his share of pain: in Ephesus he suffered rejection by the synagogue Jews, and later a deadly opposition riot that threw him out.
Janani Luwum, in Uganda’s atrocious days of Idi Amin, warned that the Church should not conform to “the powers of darkness”, even if it meant enduring painful wounds. A territorial Church is one that influences society positively in significant spheres such as governance and economy; and this is what Luwum desired to see. He confessed he was “prepared to die in the army of Jesus”; there he would be in the arms of Jesus.
So, experiencing pain caused by a true friend is something we should not despair about. It may be for discipline, correction, or preparation for a future challenge. Instead, rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances (1Thess 5:16-17) – as long as you know it is in God’s will and a true friend is close by.
God bless you!