The Greatest Privilege

God lives and works today. He loves us and wants us to be with him. If people only knew what a wonderful privilege it is to love and be loved by God, no one would want anything else.

Today's meditation by Basilish Link, called The Greatest Privilege, will tell us about the secret that makes even thorns seem beautiful. Someone who is very close to me has had to undergo painful suffering for years now. I often ask myself where he got the strength to bear it so quietly, yes, almost joyfully.

Recently I plucked up courage and asked him, and he replied, I love Jesus. Jesus was really the man of sorrows, so it is quite natural that I want to be with him, whom I love. We know when a bride loves her bridegroom, she goes where he goes, even though it may be hard for her.

She does not ask whether the way will be hard, nor what difficulties may lie ahead. Only one thing counts, that she share in his life. Love compels us to share the burdens which the beloved must bear.

Yes, true love knows only one grief, to be separated from the beloved. So those who love Jesus want to be near him. They go where he goes, and Jesus, on his part, returns that love.

He wants those who love him to be with him. That's what he means when he says in John chapter 12, where I am, there shall my servant be also. In particular, this applies for eternity, for, as Jesus says, in John 17, Father, I want those whom you have given me to be with me where I am.

I want them to see that glory which you have made mine, for you loved me before the world began. But if we, one day above, want to participate in Jesus' life, in its glory, royal dominion, and heavenly bliss, then out of love for him, we must be ready to take part in his life here on earth, which involves humiliation, lowliness, persecution, poverty, and dependence. Let me, Lord, go along with you.

Both joy and sorrow share with you. Close at your side forever. As we look back over the past few months of our Christian life, has this been our greatest prayer, our deepest longing, to partake in Jesus' suffering? Truly, it is the greatest privilege for a person to be there where Jesus was and still is today.

Let me bear every grief and cross, give my whole self to death and loss, so that I'm with you, Jesus. Your instrument I long to be, Lord, cause sweet melody for me, whatever you will, my Savior. You have been listening to a program written by Basilea Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan.

To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website, www.canaan.org. If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet. If you do not have access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address. God bless you.