"Filling Up What Is Lacking"

This past Sunday, I preached about "The Way of the Cross:" how Jesus expects us to meet the suffering of our lives, instead of avoiding or ignoring it. God uses our suffering to accomplish his purposes in the world and in our lives. But saying those words is easier than understanding them. In Colossians 1:24, Paul describes his vocation in a strange way:

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church

What could possibly be "lacking" in Christ's perfect sacrifice on the Cross? Certainly nothing needed for salvation, so what does Paul mean? A while ago, I recorded a podcast on this very question, and I wanted to share it with you. Understanding our misfortunes and sufferings as opportunities to draw closer to God is critical to our walk with Jesus. I hope you are encouraged by Paul's message, so that when those hard moments come, you will not be deceived by the devil's lies that your life is rendered purposeless or worthless because by hardship, tragedy, and frustration. The Lord may be appointing you to "fill up what is lacking" in his own sufferings! Take a listen.