“Alas, ’tis a pain more than the requital,
My hand like a log under the blackbird;
The blood of His hands, of His side, of His feet,
The King of Heaven shed for my sake.”
– The Monk Solomon, Life of Coemgen
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
– 2 Corinthians 4.16-18
Why would anybody do that?
The question arises, I suppose, concerning anyone, like Coemgen, who chooses to take up the ascetic life, especially one that involves serious bodily deprivation or suffering: Why would they do that?
The story of Coemgen and the blackbird is meant to suggest something of the rigors of such a life. Praying in a wattle pen all throughout Lent. Holding one’s hand out steady, in a bodily imitation of the cross (a discipline, by the way, known as crosfigell), staying put for the sake of a blackbird’s progeny, and so on. Yes, it was a difficult life, even if it didn’t involve a blackbird’s nest.
So why would anyone do that? Live like that? Coemgen tells us: When he considered the wounds of our Lord Jesus Christ and His blood, shed for him, he could do no other. Like Paul, Coemgen and so many other Irish saints counted everything as loss for the sake of knowing and serving Jesus. Patrick returned to the very place in Ireland where he had been a slave for six years. Colum Cille refused a kingdom to follow Jesus. Brigid declined marriage and royalty. Columbanus fled his home to remain pure for Jesus. And on and on.
The apostle Paul was able to endure hardship throughout the course of his ministry by setting his mind on the things that are above, where Christ is, seated in glory. Whatever his affliction, it did not compare with what Jesus had suffered for him. Thus, he was resolved to endure whatever was necessary to finish the course Christ had appointed for him.
And it was the same with Coemgen.
Looking to unseen things
But even we, lesser saints than any of these, to be sure, must enter more fully into the Kingdom of God by afflictions of various sorts (Acts 14.22). Trials, troubles, and temptations will never cease this side of glory. Staying the disciplined course of reading and meditating on God’s Word, laboring at prayer, obeying God’s Law, and being a witness for Jesus—these, too, can involve certain rigors and sacrifices.
Why should we do this?
Because, seeing Jesus, exalted in glory, and remembering what it cost Him to gain that throne and achieve our redemption, we do not refuse whatever He calls us to endure for His sake. He shed His blood for our sake; surely, we can shed our worldly desires and diversions to use our time in more redemptive ways for Him and His glory.
What the writer of Hebrews wrote concerning his readers is true, I suspect, of most of us as well: “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin” (Heb 12.4). And such may never be required of us.
But we are called to be disciplined in following Jesus, denying certain things and comforts so that we might take up our cross and follow Him day by day. It’s the mindset that matters, the willingness to endure whatever may be necessary to stand firm for Jesus. And that mindset is nurtured by focusing on the unseen things that are above, and especially on our risen, reigning, and returning Lord Jesus Christ.
Set your mind on Him. See Him clearly. Remember all He has done for your sake. And there will be nothing you will not do to remain faithful to Him Who shed His blood for you.
For Reflection
1. How frequently do you practice setting your mind on Jesus and the things that are above?
2. What benefit have you seen from practicing this discipline?
Psalm 25.3-5
(Festal Song: Rise Up, O Men of God)
All they who wait on You shall never come to shame.
Yet they to shame shall come who stand against Your holy Name.
Make me to know Your ways, teach me Your paths, O LORD!
My Savior, all day long I wait and seek You in Your Word.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Need more help with becoming a disciplined Christian? Download our free book, The Disciplined Life, by clicking here.
Other columns of interest: This week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we wrap up our study of the values that God’s economy requires. Our Read Moore podcast continues working through Joy to Your World!. The focus of our Scriptorium daily study is on “Matthew: The Coming of the Kingdom.” Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
