Disllusionment

Disillusionment

"Jesus did not commit Himself to them ... for He knew what was in man."
John 2:24-25

Over the past twelve years, there have been men who have gone through our 120-day residential addiction recovery program (The Colony of Mercy) who have done very well during their stay only to leave and fall flat on their face and back into their addictions. Many get right back up and get back on track, but some of the "shining stars" have spent several more years back in the muck and mire living in "bondage" rather than enjoying the freedom that they could have in Christ.

Many of you have been praying for my friend and brother, Tom Paschke, who is sitting in a jail cell in Lancaster, PA for the next eight months. This week many of guests have expressed their deep sorrow that Tom went back into his full blown addiction. They have made comments like, "Doesn't this make you cynical or skeptical? Aren't you disillusioned when this happens?"

I would be lying to you if I told you that I didn't struggle with being cynical at times with certain men. And I have certainly been hurt and disappointed when a man gives up everything to go back to the muck and mire of sin. It hurts to think that Tom has come to this point in his life and rejected everything. I have shed many tears, along with so many others, and long to see the day that he will allow Christ to set him free - completely and fully restored.

Oswald Chambers touched on disillusionment today in MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST and I needed to hear these words today ...

"Refusing to be disillusioned is the cause of much of the suffering of human life. And this is how that suffering happens - if we love someone, but do not love God, we demand total perfection and righteousness from that person, and when we do not get it we become cruel and vindictive; yet we are demanding of a human being something which he or she cannot possibly give.

There is only one Being who can completely satisfy to the absolute depth of the hurting human heart, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord is so obviously uncompromising with regard to every human relationship because He knows that every relationship that is not based on faithfulness to Himself will end in disaster.

Our Lord trusted no one, and never placed faith in people, yet He was never suspicious or bitter. Our Lord's confidence in God, and what God's grace could do for anyone, was so perfect that He never despaired, never giving up hope for any person. If our trust is placed in human beings, we will end up despairing of everyone."

Are you struggling with disillusionment? Then let these words sink into your heart today. - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Psalms 54-56; Romans 3

Great Quote: If I do not look with eyes of hope on all in whom there is even a faint beginning, as our Lord did when, just after His disciples has wrangled about which of them should be accounted the greatest, He softened His rebuke with those heart-melting words, "Ye are they which continue with Me in my temptations," then I know nothing of Calvary love. -- Amy Carmichael