Jesus promises that in the Father’s house there are many rooms—a place for each of us to dwell. But we soon learn as well that in the Father’s school there are many classrooms—many different contexts in which we come to know him better, rely on him more deeply, and become more closely conformed to his image.

We know what Jesus said about our eternal destination: “In my Father’s house are many rooms” (or, in its older rendering, “in my Father’s house are many mansions”). We know that God has prepared a place for us to live with him forever—a place of safety, peace, and rest.

But before we get to that place of rest, we must first pass through this place of activity, this place of duty, this place that so often involves sorrows and trials. This is our place of learning, our place of growing, our place of preparation. The means God uses to prepare us are as varied as we are—as varied as our lives, backgrounds, contexts, and personalities. Though we wish that our journey through this life were only ever smooth, the reality is that we face many trials and temptations. We sometimes face divine chastening meant to steer us back to obedience. We sometimes face failure meant to bring us to the end of ourselves and deepen our reliance on God.

We often wonder why the Lord has ordained that we must face and endure a specific challenge. Why should I suffer loss when another person seems to experience only gladness? Why should I endure poverty when she enjoys riches? Why should my strength be taken when he remains strong?

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