Real Life

Scripture – Luke 9:37-41: 37The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. 40I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.” 41“O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”

Reflection: It’s hard to escape the impact of real life. As nice (and necessary) as it is to get away for a while to refresh and recharge, I live in the real world. And that’s a reality I readily embrace.

Jesus and His three disciples had an extraordinary experience on the mountain. I suspect it was a powerful, rejuvenating time for all four of them. Then, “they came down from the mountain.” And they walked right into the messiness of real life.

If we listen we can hear the noise and confusion of the crowd. We can see the frustration in the other disciples. And we can hear the desperation in the father’s voice. Jesus is ready for all that. This is the world He loves. These are the people He came to serve and save.

I’ll remember that today. I’ll remember Jesus’ example here. I’ll remember real life isn’t neat and predictable. With the help of Christ in me, I’ll embrace all that with love. Thank you, Lord, for making that possible.