On this Ash Wednesday, the world seems to continue her recent pattern of emerging from the shadow of one crisis only to slide into the next. As Covid19 numbers drop and our world in the US opens up, across the ocean, our brothers and sisters in Ukraine are experiencing the deep shadows of unwanted war and the destruction of their precious homeland. And yet the reports are astonishing, seemingly filled with optimism and great courage, of resolve, fortitude, and hope. I am humbled and rebuffed by this united response in the midst of great danger and oppression.

As I enter the season of Lent, it is the Cross and the suffering and injustice it represents, that fills my mind and heart. I long to be drawn into that suffering – the type of suffering that results not in complaints and self-pity, but the suffering that ignites my spirit to be courageous and hopeful.

James 1:2 is the reminder I need: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” (NIV). Count it all joy, another translation states. In pondering this counter intuitive proclamation, it occurs to me that I have only ever been instructed to count my blessings – make lists of the good stuff, pages and pages of favors the Lord has bestowed that have been scribbled down in countless “gratitude” journals. Not once, have I been challenged to keep a list of my trials, my losses.

Why would we do that? James goes on to explain: “…because you know (really, do we?) that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” I may get a burst of encouragement when something good happens, but have I ever been similarly encouraged when I am tested? Knocked down? Flattened? Do I welcome trials because it is in the valley that I can actually witness my own growth and faith response, this perseverance that James speaks of? Not so much.

This Lent I am challenged to accept the invitation of James 1:2 to count it all and consider it all pure joy. When God thinks enough of me and my fledgling faith to test me, to introduce hardship or grief or sickness, I will call it a win. I will challenge myself to respond not with complaints, but with gratitude and joy – that when trials come, I am invited to learn and to experience the kind of faith and courageous resolve that only comes through suffering. For it is the testing of my faith that produces perseverance, and, as James continues, when the work of perseverance is finished, I will be mature in my faith, lacking nothing.

Paul reminds us in Romans 6 that we have been baptized into the death of Christ, buried with him, that we might experience new life. In Romans 8 he says that we share in Christ’s suffering in order that we might share in his glory. Romans 8:18 says, “that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” I see that glory being revealed in the response of the Ukrainian people. I want in on that.

How about you? Are you in? Will you join me and begin to count not just your blessings, but your trials and griefs? Will you look with me with new eyes on how our Lord and Savior so unjustly took on great pain and suffering on our behalf, knowing the joy that would be ours as a result? Can you say with the Psalmist, “If God is for me, who can be against me?” and wear your hardships, your suffering like a badge of great honor and solidarity with Christ and with all who suffer in every part of the world?

From ashes we came. To ashes we all return. Praise be to our Lord, the suffering Savior, Jesus Christ.