Not Enough Smyrna

Purify Your church, Lord. I'm afraid we need more of the church of Smyrna in our hearts--the suffering church. We chafe under Your promise that all who live godly lives will suffer persecution--that it is a gracious gift to us from You. We want to know You better, more deeply, but not to have to share in the fellowship of Your suffering. And such suffering is so momentary in light of the glory that is to follow. We scream for our man-engendered inalienable rights, and complain about the one right You've actually given us: "It has been given to you on behalf of Christ to suffer for His sake." We our hiding Your light under the basket of ease, of a sense of victim-hood. Purify Your church, Lord. Start with me.