Get Used to Disappointment

As I have been reflecting on the nature of our world and our place as followers of Jesus in it, a quote has come to mind from one of my favorite films of all time, The Princess Bride (which is, incidentally, also an excellent book if you haven’t read it). The scene goes like this: Inigo Montoya is in a sword fight with the Masked Man, Westley, and asks him who he is, for he is very good at sword fighting. Westley responds, “No one of consequence.” Not satisfied, Inigo pleads, “I must know,” to which Westley replies with a hard answer, “Get used to disappointment.”

Related to that quote, “Get used to disappointment,” the youth group and I have just finished our Summer Series looking at the Heroes of the Faith in Hebrews 11. In that chapter, the author of Hebrews showcases the faith of such people as Joseph, Moses, Sarah, and the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, amongst others. The author writes of how these men and women held firm to their faith, believing in God and in His promises, despite the many reasons to believe and act differently.

While in this series, something struck me for the first time. The author of Hebrews writes in two places that these Heroes of the Faith were not given what they were promised. The author of Hebrews tells us that:

And, again, the author of Hebrews writes:

Brothers and Sisters, on the face of it, we, the people of God, do not seem as likely to be disappointed for we are blessed in ways that these men and women of faith were not. Indeed, we have received so much of what has been promised to us. We have received the Holy Spirit, the promise of salvation through Christ, wisdom and power and the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-24. The distance between God and man has been brought close in the person of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16) and we have Him as a Mediator who is going between the Father and us as we speak, advocating for us (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

And yet, brothers and sisters, I am often reminded, as I expect you are, that this world is not right. It is not our home. It is broken, and sinful, and full of death and sickness and tragedy. This is not the world as it should be. And it is not the world that our Father has promised us. He has promised us a world of peace where the lion will lie down with the lamb (Isaiah 11:6-9). He has said He will bring an end to suffering and pain and death and sadness (Revelation 21:3-4). He has called us His sons and daughters and promised us a place where we can go to be with Him forever and ever (1 John 3:1, John 14:1-4).

And, if Jesus tarries in coming back for us, we will all die like those Heroes of the Faith, not having received what was promised, but continuing to wait for God to fulfill His promises and make all things right. So, I encourage you, get used to disappointment. We are in the “Already” of God’s Kingdom, having received some of His promises, but there is a Kingdom “Not Yet Here” which is coming to fulfill those promises.

So, while we are in the waiting period, let us recognize and mourn the ways this world is wrong. Let us work to make right what we can for the sake of God’s Kingdom and for those around us. And let us pray that our Christ will come back soon and that those who don’t know Him will come to realize their need and turn to Him. And let us do our best to represent our Savior well in this world. Now, let us pray for those who share our disappointing, sinful world, that God will bless us, restore us, and strengthen us all as we wait for His return.

God’s Presence and Comfort be with you all, 
Noah