Big Idea - S - Paul writes that he rejoices in suffering. He was writing to the Colossians from prison, so it was not idle words, or fluff. We do not like to suffer. The modern world has gone to great lengths to move as far from suffering as possible. Most of us arrange our lives to avoid suffering at all costs. How can Paul rejoice in suffering? While it is true that we tend to avoid suffering most of the time, we will suffer and sacrifice if it is for the right cause. People suffer through all kinds of diets to lose weight. Athletes make great sacrifices training, and even suffering pain and agony in order to win. A parent will make great sacrifices for their child, because of their love. So, it is not that we always avoid suffering, rather, that we don't want to suffer for something that is not worth it. Paul could rejoice in suffering because he was suffering for a cause that was worth it. Martin Luther King Jr. said "If you have not discovered something you are willing to die for, then you are not fit to live.” What we should be asking ourselves, is not, how we can live the most safe and comfortable life! Rather, we should be asking, is there any cause, any purpose, anything out there that is so great, so important, and so life changing that it is worth sacrificing anything and everything for?

Paul says, yes, absolutely. In short, it is the life-saving, life-transforming Gospel of Christ. Therefore, Paul can rejoice in his suffering because 1) it is for Christ, 2) it is for His body 3) it is the price of making Christ known, 4) of the incredible outcome or result, 5) it is the most important thing we could possibly invest our life in, 6) we have an incomparable power to accomplish the task.