Shaken but not Shattered

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? (Galatians 3:3-4 NAS)

When I was a teenager, several crises in my life happened in succession one after another which left me rattled. A loved one was seriously ill, an affectionate relationship was broken, and a discord in church separated many friendships and the congregation. All of a sudden, it was like the entire world had turned against me and I was left all alone with no one to turn to or share my agony. For a little while my faith in God was shaken but thankfully I was not left shattered. In my sorrows, the Lord comforted me and restored my soul, and I soon returned to Him.

Like me, the two followers of Jesus on the road to Emmaus were left disillusioned and confused after all that had happened in Jerusalem (Luke 24:13-14, 18-21). They were hoping that Jesus was the One to redeem Israel, but His death had left them rattled, unsure of what to believe when told He had risen (Luke 24:22-23).

Jesus said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:25-26).

When their eyes were finally opened to recognize Jesus, they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:31-32).

Perhaps, like the two followers of Jesus and me, there are things we have planned in our lives that did not work out the way we have hoped or crises that have left us shattered in spirit. Are we disillusioned or confused because of all these happenings that we become unsure what to believe anymore? Is our faith in God shaken because the entire world seems to be against us and we feel all alone suffering in agony?

Take heed what the Lord said and let us not be like those who are foolish or slow of heart to believe. Do we not know that Jesus suffered and died for us willingly? How is it then that we should doubt God’s love for us to think that He will abandon us in our times of agony or sorrow? Stand firm and do not let anything move us because our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:2, 58; Galatians 3:3-4). Like the followers on the road to Emmaus, let our eyes be open to recognize Jesus in all circumstances and our hearts burn within us as we listen to our Lord by His Spirit and word.

Open the eyes of our hearts O Lord that we may see You in our moments of disillusion and confusion. Do not let us be rattled to the point of straying away from You dear Lord but keep us safe in Your protection and care. Remind us Lord in our agony and sorrow that we are not alone and You are always present to help and comfort us. Keep our hearts burning for You Lord that we may in Your word grow to understand Your will and know You more and more every day.