January 19, 2011

Suffering for a Purpose


The temperature was 15 degrees.  Still they came.  Dressed in warm work clothes, almost a dozen workers braving the below freezing temperatures to fix our roof.  Tarping the house to protect it, they climbed high ladders, and stepped onto the rotting roof.  They peeled off worn shingles, ripped up soggy wood, measured new pieces, and replaced the old with the new.   Toiling, hoisting, straining throughout the day with a common purpose.  Fixing our roof was their job. 


Yet, I couldn't stop thinking about their hands.  Hands that did the work.  Most were covered in layers of leather and yarn, but still feeling the cold.  Suffering in the freezing air. 

Suffering for a purpose.


And, I remember past the yesterdays to years gone by.  I am a child sitting with my father and staring at his hands with knuckles grown large from constant use.  The fingers are rough, calloused, cracked, and bleeding in spots.  A few fingernails are blackened from wounds incurred.  A hard day's work out in the elements, evident even to an eight year old. 


He worked outside, and repaired for others.  It was his job.  He worked and toiled for his family.  To provide for us, and give us a life he never had.  Substance, vitality, opportunities...and more.  He gave of himself, tirelessly.

Suffering for a purpose.


And, then my mind travels further back in time, to a time of old,
to One who came for a reason, who suffered more than all
to give us a life we could never have without Him.
His body was pierced, cut, and bleeding 
for you, for me, for all. 
He gave Himself, entirely.


But he was pierced for our transgressions,
   he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
   and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)



Suffering for a purpose.


To read the verse in context of Isaiah chapter 53, click here.

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This post has been shared for Word Filled Wednesday at Internet Cafe Devotions.

16 comments:

  1. Hi Dorie, I love this and the photos are beautiful. Have a blessed WFW!

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  2. We are thankful for God's suffering and from it we have eternal life. I love your article today it made my day. Happy WFW and tons of blessings for you and your loved ones.

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  3. Beautiful pictures, and I appreciate your take on the verse!

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  4. Lovely photos and a beautiful reminder.

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  5. Is it not amazing the suffering that one does for family..and the chain it creates to helping others.. Beautiful post.

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  6. This was a excellent post!!!and Those pictures wow amazing!!!!

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  7. Isiah is full in effort today lol, alot of us have posted from there today!
    Very cool pictures!

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  8. Beautiful post and pictures! I love the analogy too. Funny what eight year olds notice too!:)

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  9. Great post and I love the pics. I am a new follower from WFW. Hope you can follow back :)

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  10. Dorie - wonderful words and beautiful photos to go along with them! I'm so glad that your roof was repared :)

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  11. Dorie, what perfect pictures and what a poignant post to go along...
    I'm blessed!

    peace,
    lori

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  12. What a great post. I just love the pictures too. Beautiful.

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  13. Beautiful WFW !
    Blessings,
    ~Myrna

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  14. Beautiful images and great verse! Your blog is lovely! So glad to have found you from WFW.

    Blessings,
    Mel
    Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God

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  15. Great verse and photos you shared! :)

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  16. Beautiful post! The pictures are really pretty too. :)

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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