“God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 3:10
Have you ever asked yourself, what is the purpose of my suffering? What is it all for? What is the payoff? If so, those are fair questions. After all, we know that our suffering is not pointless, but that God has a purpose for everything He allows in our lives.
If anyone knows about suffering, it’s Paul. Paul faced more suffering than most of us could ever imagine. Yet despite all his suffering, Paul believed and submitted to God’s plan. He trusted and followed God anyway. He stayed in his lane and jumped the hurdles in his path.
He did all of this because he knew that God was going to use his obedience to bring the gospel to the world. Ephesians 3:10 says, “God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”
What Paul was saying was that the payoff of his obedience was going to change the world. The gospel will be made known to the church and that wisdom will carry over to people in great power. And this mystery will be revealed even to the angels in heaven. He reminded them that God has an eternal purpose for everything.
That is a good thing to remember while facing difficulties in this life. God has a purpose for everything. Romans 8:28 tells us, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”
So, what is the payoff? I can’t tell you exactly. Only God knows. But He always delivers more than He asks. You reap what you sow. You reap later than you sow, and you reap MORE than you sow. What are you sowing? The payoff will reap far, far more!