Hurt by a friend; Changed to glory!
”Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy
are deceitful.” (Prov 27:6)
You are warmly welcome!
A building occupied by a community of monks is called an abbey; The Westminster Abbey in London was founded by Benedictine Monks in 960AD, but grew to become the greatly significant Royal Church – the location of coronations of 40 monarchs, and where 16 royal weddings have been celebrated. Above the Abbey's Great West Door stand ten statues to modern martyrs – Christians who gave up their lives for their beliefs – and the third from left is Janani Luwum, former Archbishop of Uganda, who was martyred on 16th February 1977.
Lent is here. In this solemn season when we remember Jesus’ fasting and later suffering, we shall see no weddings, parties and feasting will reduce for many, reflections on suffering will dominate, and many of us will be fasting. As a Christian and a member of the body of Christ, it is important that you are 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 Janani Luwum.
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 …” This can help when we remember the suffering of many prophets and righteous men while God their friend was there watching. Jesus’ experience went to the extreme: God hurt the one Son he loved very much 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 pain, not because it was sweet and nice, but because even when there was so much agony, Jesus was sure that a loving Father meant well in all this.
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 – changed to glory.
So, experiencing pain in the presence of a true friend is something we should not despair about. It may be for discipline, correction, or preparation for a future challenge; it may be the ‘shedding of blood’ that strengthens the Church or delivers God’s people from oppression. 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; He is the true friend who mean well, and He remains close by to carry you through.
God bless you all!