Disappointments – 2015.10.06
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
Matthew 10:14
Jesus knows that Christians will be disappointed regularly. He himself was disappointed many times. Truly, he was even exploited, betrayed, lied to, framed, beaten, and killed. How could His witnesses fair better than Him?
We wish our neighbors all the best, we tell them about Jesus, take care of them, give money, time and effort. But in the end, they avoid us, deny us, and do not show any gratitude. This is, of cause, a huge disappointment.
Jesus know this very well and He shared a recipe to deal with those discouragements: leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. In Matthew 10:39 Jesus tells us: "… and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it" – Jesus is the compensation for the disappointments! A little bit of us and our pride dies with every disappointment. But He himself gives new life to us. He will give us not only comfort but courage, new strength and joy. His presence is the most beautiful thing we can enjoy. He is so very close, especially during suffering and disappointment.
We should not be hung up on disappointments but we should raise our heads, shake the dust from old experiences and leave. It should not bother us or influence us any longer. We should forgive and bless those "enemies" and we should wish them all the best! And finally, we should ask our Lord:" Are You sending me out again? Is there some work do do? I want to be Your messenger of Love and mercy."
Jesus judgment for those that deny His messengers is very harsh: "Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town" (Matthew 10:15). To be punished by the Lord is dreadful! Such a punishment for denying His messenger! No! We have mercy with our "foes" and pray for them, so God will hold back his wrath.
Thank You Jesus, for You are merciful with me! You comfort me when I am disappointed and You give me new courage, strength, and joy. You are my Lord who never disappointed me and who will never do. Lord, how often did I disappoint You or other people! Please forgive me! And please bless those that I have disappointed. Compensate them for the pain I have caused.
Bible reading today: Psalm 147:1-11