Luke 10:20

Bob woke up feeling satisfied.  He worked hard for a couple of days and earned an extra day off.  Now, he was ready to enjoy himself.  Although he savored his previous accomplishments, he looked forward to the things he would really enjoy.  The list was long, but during breakfast he narrowed it down significantly.  Now he was really excited.  

His excitement was diminished slightly when his wife said, “Don’t forget to take the car to the mechanic.”  Little did he realize this was only the beginning of a steady stream of delays and disappointments.  At the end of the day, his wife asked, “Did you enjoy your day off?”  All Bob could say, was, “Don’t ask.”

I can understand Bob's disappointment.  I have watched excitement evaporate as plans fell apart.  I have gone from the heights of enthusiasm to the depths of frustration.  In my day to day routine and my encounters with people, I have come to expect this.  I don’t expect it from the Lord.  So why is it that I am disappointed with the Lord?  Why am I dismayed when the Lord seems inattentive?  Why am I sad when he seems silent?

Jesus speaks to my disappointment when he addressed his disciples’ excitement.  They had just completed a special assignment.  They couldn’t believe what they had done, and they were ready to experience more of the same.  Jesus tempered their excitement by helping them understand what gives lasting joy.

Jesus’ lesson is one I need to learn well.  It is easy for me to be filled with joy when everything goes right.  My plans fall into place.  My prayers are answered.  My life is good, so the Lord is good.  This changes when my plans fall apart, my prayers go unanswered, and my life is hard.  Life is challenging, so is the Lord bad?

Although my conclusion may be logical, it is dangerous.  Jesus alerts me to this danger, and changes the focus of my life and the source of my joy.  He shifts me from accomplishments I can readily see to those I tend to overlook.  His words are clear, “rejoice because your name is written in heaven.”

The joys of this world are elusive and easily lost.  When I look to them as my source of joy, I will be disappointed.  When I look to Jesus and the gift of his precious work, I will never be disappointed.  Frustrations, temptations and difficulties may come.  Satan may rage and ferociously attack me.  Friends may abandon me and the world may forget me.  Still, the Lord knows my name and has it recorded in heaven.  Even in the darkest of times, there is hope and joy.

The disciples thought lasting joy would be found in their accomplishments.  They were mistaken.  I can make the same mistake.  I need to remember Jesus has offered me lasting joy by securing my place in heaven.  He has secured that joy through his precious work.