price to pay

We cannot truly be courageous if we have not first experienced fear.
We cannot have faith if we have not first known doubt.
We cannot savour rest if we have not first tasted labour.
We won't be able to truly appreciate joy if we have not first known sorrow.
We won't cherish freedom as much if we have not first endured suffering.

If we forget fear -- we cease to be courageous and become foolhardy.
If we forget doubt -- we become blinded by false faith.
If we forget labour -- we no longer rest but are slothful.
If we forget sorrow -- we lose sight of what is joy.
If we forget suffering -- we become enslaved to our freedom.

Our salvation (freedom) was bought with a heavy price, a ransom of flesh and blood and tears (suffering), a ransom we must always remember. If we base our spirituality on the feel-goods and the joys only it is but a matter of time till it topples. Faith must be grounded in truth -- and this truth is that Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross (sorrow) in atonement for our sins. "And for this God raised him high [through his resurrection], and gave him the name which is above all other names" (joy).

One man's obedience brought about salvation for all. What could be a better fairytale ending? Yet behind every fairytale ending lies a lot of hard work which we so often do not see. We could always envy and wish to share in that fairytale, but that wouldn't get us anywhere. Or we could put in some hard work to achieve that freedom and joy.

Have I forgotten Christ's suffering? Am I willing to endure labour to make good his sorrow?