Here's why you can't disappoint God
Many people have the mistaken idea that they disappoint God.
Singles, especially, can have a series of failures and setbacks and believe that they're a disappointment to friends, relatives, even God.
That might seem possible except for two biblical truths: first, God is all-knowing. You can't surprise him because he knows the future, even though you <b>do</b> have free will.
Second, God hates sin, but he loves sinners. Jesus proved this time and again in the company he kept.
Why God is different from people
Too often we compare God to people we know. While it's true that man was created in God's image--with intelligence, emotions, and desires--it's wrong to create God in our image. The Bible says God's ways are far above man's ways and that God's thoughts are not man's thoughts.
The most accurate, most poignant picture of God is found in Jesus' parable of the prodigal son. This son had scorned his father, squandering his inheritence on sinful living in a far country. But when the son finally came to his senses and returned home, how did his father greet him? Let's hear Jesus' own words:
"But while he (the son) was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him..." (Luke 15:20)
In Jesus' day, it was considered undignified for a man to run, especially an old man. But Jesus portrays God as so overjoyed when we return to him that he runs out to meet us.
That's the kind of incredible God we serve.
How you lose your perspective
When things go wrong--when a lot of things have gone wrong and when things have been going wrong for a long time--we tend to beat ourselves up, blaming ourselves for everything that's gotten off track. We may be convinced that we disappoint God with our miserable life.
But Jesus died to rescue you from sin and guilt. And his Father, like the father of the prodigal son, wants only the best for you. More than anything, your heavenly Father wants you to turn your life around and return to him.
You can do it, you know. With God's help, you can turn a bad situation around.
Tune out the wrong voices
You don't disappoint God, and you need to believe that. Tune out the critical, discouraging voices (especially your own), and tune in the encouraging, loving voice of Jesus.
Jesus' earthly ministry centered around people who believed they were failures. The legalistic Pharisees had convinced them they had disappointed God. Maybe a very accusing person has told you the same thing.
The Pharisees and others did just that when they wanted to stone a woman caught in adultery. After Jesus confronted them and they all drifted away, Jesus said, "Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin."(John 8:11)
He condemned the sin, but not the sinner.
Reading is believing
Is it still hard for you to let go of the idea that you disappoint God?
If you read through the Gospels and pray about it, you'll discover that Jesus has a special place in his heart for you. He wants you to feel secure in his love. He wants his love to bring you peace of mind.
No matter how you feel and how things may look, believe the truth that Jesus loves you.
You? Disappoint God? Not on your life.
Not on your Calvary-earned, sin-forgiven, solidly secure eternal life.
