Childbirth hurts...

Okay... what do I know about birthing pains? Nothing. Not a thing at all... and, a lot at the same time.

The name of this blog is Christianity Struggles, and if you're here, and reading then you know that Christianity can be difficult sometimes. A lot of times, people aren't prepared for how difficult it is to live as a Christian, so they live some bastardized form of light Christianity where they want all of the benefits of being called by the name of Christ without the burden of picking up their cross. (Did you know the Bible says in 4 different places in 3 different gospels "pick up your cross and follow me?")

Anyway... you're here, you're reading... which means you must be in the struggle too.

So, why? Why can't Christianity be easy? Why can't we always get what we want? If God is our good heavenly Father, and he owns everything why do I have to work so hard for what seems to be so little when there are so many other people who seem to be doing wrong and living these lavish lifestyles?

Why do I have to struggle with doing right when so many others are doing wrong and don't seem to care?

Let me try to explain it this way: That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.

 All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. (Romans 8:18-23 The Message)