I ain’t no masochist!

I’m really getting excited about our Honey Lake Chapel. Over the past couple of months it has risen from the ground and taken shape quite nicely. Its 56 foot steeple will house a two inch thick antique brass bell that I can’t wait to ring. Its 24 foot coffered ceiling will reverberate glorious hymns and wedding songs nicely. Its 14 foot stained glass windows are the oldest in the state of Florida and are drop dead gorgeous and an appropriate complement to its old time tongue and grooved pine interior and antique pews. We are putting a tin roof on it that will echo rain spatters and on and on and on. Best of all is the spectacular view of Honey Lake through the three large clear windows in the entire back end of the chapel. Each window has a rugged cross in its center made of pecky cypress with the one in the center being the largest.

I can see it now; having fellowship and Bible study, folks getting married, spiritual retreats that are truly spiritual. Oh boy

My son accused me of being a masochist the other day. Hmmm I have been accused of being a sadist, but never a masochist.

His comment stems from me telling him that I enjoy watching an idea such as our chapel become a reality. First you think of whatever it is that you want to accomplish, like our chapel. Then you plan how to make it happen. Next you slug through the project’s obstacles hacking, slashing, burning, and taking no prisoners. Finally your idea becomes a reality and you have captured the hilltop. As you sit back and gaze down upon your completed project and take it all in, an immense amount of satisfaction courses through your veins and all the headaches and turmoil are long forgotten. I have enjoyed this phenomenon building businesses, homes, buildings, etc. for many years now and it is quite rewarding.

To use a tired old clich there is no gain without some pain. For the record I do not enjoy the pain, but the gain makes it worthwhile to me. Come to think of it so does the pain.

I think life is similar to this. If you want to be healthy, you need to work out and sacrifice some of the food and drink that you love. If you want to build a vibrant career or healthy business, then you must first deal with its pain. One writer named his book, If You Want The Rainbow You Have To Put Up With The Rain. I thought that was an excellent way to describe it.

The Bible states flat out that it isn’t easy to be a Christian; (Just ask those being martyred in the Middle East right now, or observe how some people ostrasize you if you refuse to engage in some non-Christian activity.) It takes courage, commitment, and tenacity to serve God. If you find it easy, chances are you just haven’t been sifted yet, or just maybe you find it easy because you aren’t serving the Lord as you should.

I’m no masochist but I will put up with some temporary pain for eternal gain. Think about it.

Matthew 16:24
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”