From Disappointment to Joy

I spent many a summer vacation with my grandparents in Pawtucket, RI. Of course, as the start of the school year neared, I would return home to my parents. One of those summers, my uncle Junior promised me that we would take in a Red Sox game at Fenway Park in Boston. Well, the summer passed and the last weekend came and, as promised, we were going. But when I woke up that morning, it was overcast and showers were in the forecast. Even up until two hours, I just knew we couldn't go. I just knew the game was going to be rained out. So sad, so disappointed that my dream wouldn't be fulfilled.

To make this story shorter, we went to Boston anyway. To my great joy, the rain held off, the game was played, and the Red Sox won (the winning run was knocked in by my favorite player).

How quickly disappointment turns to joy! In the upper room on the night he was betrayed, Jesus promised his disciples that they would be filled with grief, but he also promised that it would be temporary.

And so it was. He told them in a little while they would not see him, and then they would see him. Their grief DID turn to joy when they saw him alive three days later.

In Luke 24, two disciples were on the road to Emmaus when Jesus came up to them unrecognized. Luke records their emotions--sadness (their faces were downcast), disappointment (we hoped he was the one to redeem Israel), and confusion (the women saw a vision of angels but didn't see Jesus' body in the tomb). Later too, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy after they saw Jesus alive at table with them.

As we celebrate Easter tomorrow (and for the Christian, every day can be a day of celebration), we can have joy even in the midst of disappointment--if we choose to have it. Jesus lives, no matter our circumstances! Our disappointment CAN turn to joy when we remember--and act on the truth--that the resurrection happened.