Follow Jesus – you will be disappointed

by richard w.

A spirituality centred on Jesus, is one where we are called to not just to hope, but to hope, disappointment and then hope again.

True community will only flourish if we’ll go through the pain barrier of “getting our hopes up” even though we remember only too well how last time they were let down. And it still hurts.

Going against the instinct to play safe and avoid the risks of disappointment in relationships can at times feel like death. It’s one of the very real ways that we follow in the way of the cross.

Which doesn’t mean that we become lazily naïve. We don’t, and shouldn’t, trust everyone to the same extent. It’s quite right that we build up different levels of openness and intimacy.

But if we just stay comfortable because we’re unwilling to go through any of that ‘death’, we’ll miss resurrection and new life in that part of our lives too.

We often talk at Dream of our desire to create a ‘safe space’. It’s central to our ethos. But if that’s all we ever are, then we’ll miss something vital. Yes ‘gatherings’ must be open, welcoming and non-threatening so that anyone can engage as much or as little as they want.

But the kind of faith community I need, must also have places and ways where it becomes risky, uncomfortable and downright dangerous at times. Where I get close enough to people to get irritated, disappointed, and hurt by them, at the same time as I also irritate, disappoint and hurt. A community where we nevertheless continue to love and grow together, because we’re anchored into a deeper hope.

We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God (Hebrews 6:19)


You might like to reflect further on hope, disappointment, trust and risk.

-Maybe arrange to get together with one or two friends. Share your own experiences, discuss how it connects with where you’re at right now. Perhaps include some time to sit quietly or pray for one another.

- Or give yourself a half hour mini-retreat. Find a quiet space. Put on some music/light a candle/whatever helps you to focus. Then simply sit quietly in God’s presence for a few minutes. When you are ready, reflect on your thoughts, impressions and feelings in response to these issues. You might like to journal your answers as a written prayer