Disappointed . . . or Victimized

We may have lost our ability to deal with disappointment. It seems that, in all realms of life, when something doesn't go our way we like to thing that something immoral has been perpetrated. We didn't get the job . . . there must be some sort of inside agenda. Our candidate didn't win . . . there must be a conspiracy. Something costs to much . . . there is a plot to pick our pocket. The vote didn't go our way . . . it must have been a back room deal.

In the end, perhaps all it was, was that we didn't get our way. We're disappointed. We have a pit in our stomach and we can't understand why others didn't think like us or agree with us. With childish rhetoric we cry out "It isn't fair!" So I'll comfort myself, and I hope you, with the words of our parents: "Life isn't fair." Not said with a scolding shout or a condescending scowl, but with all the tender compassion as when they clean a wound or kiss a boo-boo.

Life isn't fair . . . and . . . Thanks be to God! . . . eternity isn't fair either. Jesus tells us in Luke 6 that according to the measure we use, it will be measured back to us. What we dole out to others we ourselves deserve to receive. That would be fair. An eye for an eye is fair. A tooth for a tooth is fair. Returning evil for evil is fair. But in the mercy of God our Father we do not receive as we have measured out. Instead, Jesus comes as our substitute (our scapegoat if you will) to receive our measure and in its place we receive the measure laid up for Him. Those who are merciful will receive mercy. Those who are forgiving will be forgiven. Those who do not condemn will not be condemned. So Jesus stepped into our place, was condemned, judged, and treated unmercifully so that you and I might receive mercy, be forgiven, and be judged according to the righteousness of Jesus.

Now that's not fair. Thanks be to God that it's not fair! It is merciful, it is grace, it is life and salvation.