Worth it All

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

A selfless mother willingly surrenders her body to the pangs childbirth, nurses her new baby every few hours around the clock, surrenders sleep, cooks and cleans when she is feverish, and trades 'me time' for changing diapers. She gives little thought to the career, friends, and pleasures she has left behind--because, more than self, she loves this child. Her child. A baby to love, to enjoy. A child to raise, to shake the world.

A loving admirer will drive great distances, devout large amounts of time, happily spend hard-earned cash, and do a great many other things outside his 'comfort zone' (penn poetry, pick roses, listen, listen, listen)--in pursuit of a woman who has captured his heart. He does so without thought of the costs because he the considers the 'prize' to be worth any possible sacrifice.

A diligent college student will burn the midnight oil finishing a writing assignment, spend his Saturday engaged in textbooks, memorize flash cards over a fast-food dinner, and willingly repeat this cycle semester after semester for 4+ years--because he loves knowledge and he longs for a signed diploma. He considers the recognition of his future title to be worthy of all he is sacrificing.

What then for a faithful Christian? If Christ be the prize, should not the cross (sufferings of this world) be borne willingly and joyfully?

"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ." Philippians 3:8

It Will be Worth it All, When We See Christ

Words and music by Esther Kerr Rusthoi

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God's eternal day.

Refrain
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We're tossed and driven on , no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav'n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem - just go to Him in pray'r.

Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past,
We'll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We'll share the joys of heav'n - a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.