Suffering

Revelation 2:8-11
John 15:1-17
Matthew 11:25-30
Genesis 1

A friend of mine recently passed away. In the midst of grief, however, joy does arise when I think of him in heaven with Christ. I have no doubt Jesus welcomed him with joy and the confirmation of a life well-lived. 

My friend is not known beyond the circles in which he traveled, but I know his desire to live for Christ will live on as we reflect on his humble servanthood and carry his example with us. 

My friend died at a much younger age than anyone would have expected, especially since we often think of a life well-lived as including many decades of walking with Christ. Our Lord constructed time (Genesis 1) and lives beyond its constraints. Therefore, our definition of a life well-lived should reflect the mindset expressed in this quote:

“The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.” ~William James, philosopher

As we enter the Easter season, we are focusing on believers who gave their lives in the pursuit of Christ. 

Today, I am honored and humbled to focus on Blandina, a young slave girl who was martyred in Lyons in 177 AD. Christians were under incredible persecution from the Roman empire at that time, persecution so intense the only options were denying Christ or enduring torture culminating in death. 

Blandina is known today, not because she was one of the first martyrs or even one of the most politically significant ones. In fact, she was only a young slave girl, one characterized as “weak in body.” (The Gospel Coalition) Yet, Blandina did not cower in the face of torture nor deny her Lord. Rather, she endured torture beyond what anyone thought her body capable of handling. 

Her name made it into the history books because she withstood torture device after torture device and, through it all, encouraged her fellow Christians to not lose heart. Blandina experienced significant pain and traumatizing experiences, yet one historian noted that the more she endured, the stronger she seemed to become. Only God could have imbued this frail girl with strength to not falter in her faith.  (Revelation 2:8-11)

Because of her example, Christ-followers in her day saw the example of a life spent on that which would outlast her breaths on earth. 

We are invited to witness her faith and be challenged to live out our own with all the courage. 

Many of us will not experience martyrdom or anything remotely close to all Blandina went through, but we will be placed in positions of either choosing Christ or choosing the world. 

A choice for the one is a denial of the other. 

Are we mentally and spiritually prepared to choose Christ regardless of the outcome?

Could we truly walk in Blandina’s footsteps with such unwavering faith? 

Blandina was no gladiator; she was neither physically fit nor prepared to fight. Her strength stemmed from within, from her connection to Christ. (John 15:5) Faith enabled her victory. 

Matthew 11:25-30 may seem like an odd choice for connecting to Blandina’s story, as “easy” and “light” do not describe her last days. However, her life highlighted how the Lord carries the weight in our relationship with Him. He strengthened Blandina and encouraged her just as she, in turn, encouraged those around her. 

Several years ago, I lived through one of the hardest, most intense seasons of my life, a season filled with spiritual warfare, doubt, darkness, and a serious lack of hope that the season would ever end. During that time, the Word came alive in a way I had never realized possible, largely because I had never needed it so desperately. During this season, I learned to “remain in [Christ]” in new and deeper ways. (John 15:4)

As I reflected on that season shortly after circumstances changed, I realized that deep within me, at my core relationship with Christ, I felt the strongest in Him I had ever felt while walking through the dark. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, I felt like I had been hit by a truck, but I recognized the power of the Holy Spirit was dwelling richly within me regardless. 

It is this indwelling power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to answer Christ’s call in John 15: “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” 
(John 15:12-14)

Whether we, like Blandina, are led to literally lay down our lives for Christ, or whether we are called to sacrificial love in a relationally difficult season, we are empowered and strengthened as we abide in Christ. 

I have not felt the persecution Blandina suffered, but I have needed to choose where I put my hope and accept the consequences of my choice. 

During my hard season, I repeatedly ran to Jesus and His Word, certainly not perfectly, but desperately, consistently, and humbly. The Lord proved He is faithful, powerful, and sufficient for all my needs. 

That season shifted my perspective to a more heavenly one. Heaven is our home, and living for Christ will always be worth it, even if our journey takes us down paths we never wanted to walk. 

It has been challenging to realize how an easy life can often hinder my spiritual growth. My desperation to hear the Lord’s voice lessens, and I allow a myriad of other things muffle His Words. Social media, busyness of life, relationship challenges, and so many other things begin to take precedence in my calendar, and my ability to discern true kingdom work fades. 

Blandina demonstrated a life spent on something that will outlast her breath. I challenge and encourage us to pattern our days to do the same.