stunned

This is the same idea that I posted on last year, you can go back and read that one, too, if you want to.

There have been times in my life when I had great expectations and ideas of how things would turn out.  Wonderful dreams and plans.  But in an unexpected instant those dreams, hopes and plans were dashed.  It was as if I felt the globe turn and suddenly North was South and down was up.  

Ever been there?  

I think that's how it was for Jesus' disciples.  Even those who recognized that He was the long awaited Messiah, didn't really understand what that meant, I think.  We are earthly minded beings and I think they all expected an earthly revolution.

But now, on this day, He lay dead in a borrowed tomb.  Some of them had seen Him die.  Some of them had helped carry the body and wrap it in cloth.  He was dead.  His skin was ashen, His nails and lips blue, His limbs stiffened.  No hope.  Gone.

So I picture them sitting in the empty room just staring.  No one knows what to say.  They had a plan and a purpose and... now what?  So much excitement and emotional build up - - for this?

"This isn't what I expected.  This isn't what I had in mind.  I never planned for this.  What do I do now?"

All they could see was yesterday and today.  No matter how strong their faith, I don't think any of them imagined tomorrow.  They saw dashed hopes and empty dreams.  They saw lost and confused faces gazing at one another.  They saw fear and pain.  They had all lost one they loved dearly.  They had all been betrayed by a trusted friend.

They had no idea that the revolution going on was for their souls.  No idea that the spiritual realm was undergoing a vast restructuring.  What had belonged to the devil was taken away.  Paid for, Redeemed.  What had been his most powerful weapon -- death-- was losing its power.  

Sometimes when we lose what we long for, it's because something unimagined is being given in its place.  Don't lose hope.  Look to tomorrow!

trust no one

Now, I'm not encouraging you to be cynical or pessimistic; keep that in mind.

But everyone will let you down. Every human being will fail you.

This morning in church something was said that reminded me of a time when someone that we trusted hurt us. And I got to thinking about this.

I know that at one time or another, every person in my life has been let down by me. And I also know that every person in my life has failed me.

Failures, disappointments, betrayals, come in all shapes and sizes. They range from trivial to devastating.

The hubby says he'll take out the trash and you count on that, but he forgets.

Your best friend isn't available emotionally when you need her most.

A lunch date forgets that you had a date.

Maybe you entrusted a friend with a confidence and he shared it with some one else.

A friend stops calling and you can't seem to reconnect and you don't know why.

A pastor lies.

A leader gets caught stealing.

Your spouse cheats.

And for some people, it can be even worse, involving abuse and even murder.

Who can you trust? Well, there is only ONE who can be fully trusted. He will never, ever let us down. We often interpret that He has, but in truth, He cannot. He is as solid as a rock and we can always depend on Him, not matter how circumstances appear.

Now, I want you to know that I am a trusting person. I trust people to be who they seem to be and to do what they say they will do.

We should give people the benefit of the doubt. Trust them, but not without reservation. We need to be trusting and trustworthy people. Humanity and Christianity depend on it. But, keep always in mind that every human being is fatally flawed. We are all broken. Not one person can occupy the place in your life that belongs only to the God who created you.