Strong spirits: has God ever disappointed you?

Has anyone ever disappointed you? Has God ever disappointed you?

When it seems God is letting me down, I/we need to remember that his plans are not my plans, and that he sees the whole picture, of which I/we see only the smallest part.

Consider how disappointed Mary and Martha must have been when Jesus didn't come right away when Lazarus fell ill and then died. How could their dear friend Jesus let them down? Then see Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Not only do they get their brother back, but Jesus gets to demonstrate his power, and so reveal that he is, in fact, the son of God.

Jesus tells Martha: " I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." And then asks her, "Do you believe this?" (John 11:25,26) It's a huge question. Do you? Do I?

Many of us are physically alive but spiritually dead. We need a resurrection to the full and abundant life Jesus intends for us. Now would be a good time for that...

Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.

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