Enjoy Life, Enjoy God

TAKE HEART

July 7, 2010

Jesus is concerned not only with duty, discipleship, obedience, but also our spirits. So he says occasionally phrases such as "take heart."

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"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
- John 16:33 TNIV
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To be sure, a disciple's life is a challenge, and while God is gracious and merciful, often we struggle to get it right. As Jesus continues his last teaching to his followers in John 16, he speaks of the future--what it contains, the setbacks, the disappointments, and hints of great joy. But I'm betting he sees the concern on his followers' faces, so he ends this thought with "take heart, I have overcome the world."

Has your heart ever skipped a beat? A mini-arrhythmia, an extrasystole? It really throws you for a loop. But when the heart comes back in rhythm, we feel strong and well again. I'm sure this is a bit of what Jesus means when he tells us, "I know of your bumps in the road, and the missed beats, but hear the good news: take heart!"
Joyfully,

Dale Patterson