it might have been easy
to write them off
what a disappointment
it must have been
to see them stumble
falter
run away
resort to old ways
but there he was,
he knew the road ahead
and was there to show them
washing their feet
urging them
to watch and pray
encouraging them
to rise and face the dark
reminding them
to love and love and love
when it came down to it
disappointment was the least of it
a footnote
a momentary blip
as he made his way forward
eyes fixed on the face of Love
even as
veils were rent
wounds healed
boulders removed
hatred, fear, and doubt dissolved
and there in sharp relief:
victory
promise
redemption
no disappointment
just a sure calling
the quiet insistence
the joy of assurance
to say
here I am
I have not left you
you are not alone
“cast the net on the right side” John 21:6
one gentle nudge after another
communing with them
breaking bread
telling the story yet again
they said
“did not our heart burn within us?” Luke 24:32.
rejoicing:
wash
feed
love
heal
O fishers
comforters
peacemakers
of men
—Joni Overton-Jung
