1997 CIU graduate Tullian Tchividjian is the well-known pastor of a thriving church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. While thousands sit under his weekly teaching, his influence extends beyond the pulpit.
Tchividjian’s latest book titled Glorious Ruin: How Suffering Sets You Free was released at the beginning of this month. In what he describes as his most important work to date, Tchividjian focuses not on the why or how of suffering, but rather on the Who – a Savior scripture describes as “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3).
I’m about halfway through Glorious Ruin and it has been simultaneously challenging and encouraging. Tchividjian’s perspective is fresh, yet steeped in the truth of the gospel. I hope to finish the book later this week, but here’s a preview for those who might be interested in reading further:
“We may not ever fully understand why God allows the suffering that devastates our lives. We may not ever find the right answers to how we’ll dig ourselves out. There may not be any silver lining, especially not in the ways we would like. But we don’t need answers as much as we need God’s presence in and through the suffering itself. The truth is that when it comes to suffering, if we do not go to our graves in confusion we will not go to our graves trusting. Explanations are a substitute for trust.
For the life of the believer, one thing is beautifully and abundantly true: God’s chief concern in your suffering is to be with you and be Himself for you. And in the end, what we discover is that this really is enough.”
-Abbey Le Roy