Monday, November 14, 2016

So now what...

     To say this has been a week of transition would not do this week justice. For many in the nation, the person that was voted into office, was not the person they voted for. Many woke up Wednesday morning with a pit in their stomach and a lump in their throat. This weekend, sport's fans watched as 3 out of the 4, top four teams lost. Granted, the implications of this are far less than the presidential candidate, but for many it feels on the same level. So since what is done is done, how do we swallow the pill that I call disappointment. It is a pill that we will all have to swallow, if you have not yet had to take the medicine of being let down, know that it is coming. So what now? When disappointment looks as if it is a mountain that is unscalable, how do you keep climbing in spite of your feeling weary every step of the way. What is the fuel that will keep you going? These are all hard questions, I don't have the answer, but whenever I am at a loss, I have learned that the best place to turn is Jesus. Jesus experienced his fair share of disappointment. The whole being crucified by the people that he came to save, had to be on the disappointing side. So what did he do? I am glad you asked.
     John 18:1-11 says this, “When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go." This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: "Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one." Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?"”
‭‭John‬ ‭18:1-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬
     To say that Jesus was having a bad day would be a gross understatement. He asked his disciples to stay awake and pray for Him, they fell asleep. One of his close friends for the last three years, betrayed him. A bad day. Yet, what did He do. He kept walking. So what encouragement can we draw from this, keep walking. Prayerfully, intentionally keep walking. Pray for wisdom, pray for those around you, and keep walking being the change you desire to see in this world. So I invite you to keep walking. Let's be about something and not just talk about something. Keep walking. As we walk, let's invite others to walk with us. Eventually, we will get to where we need to go.