Somewhere in time we bit off---with good intentions--- the "catch more flies with honey" maxim and decided if we sold Jesus as Mr. Fix-It more people might want to know Him. We also came to believe what we were selling...Trouble is, for most of us, the day after we accept Jesus, the boss still yells, the bills still stack up and the pain still hurts.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. -John 14:1-3

      "Why are Christians so angry," a friend asked me recently.

      It's a good question.

      I think it's because we did a "bait and switch" and nobody noticed.

      Somewhere in time we bit off---with good intentions--- the "catch more flies with honey" maxim and decided if we sold Jesus as Mr. Fix-It more people might want to know Him. We also came to believe what we were selling. "Jesus wants to heal you,"; "Jesus wants you rich,"; "Jesus wants you happy." "Come to Jesus, and all your sorrows will disappear." We took Jesus promises about eternity and we made them sound like they were guaranteed to start right now.

      Trouble is, for most of us, the day after we accept Jesus, the boss still yells, the bills still stack up and the pain still hurts.

      It's the biggest disappointment of all, and it gnaws at us constantly. Some of us deal with it by blaming ourselves: God isn't fixing things because I'm not trying hard enough, or because of that big sin I committed years ago or because... Others just stew in silence, never really conscious why they're mad, but always aware it's just beneath the surface. Some blame their President or Congress, believing God will fix everything if we just have the right leaders and they just do the right things. Deep down, though, we're just hurting because we bought a fairy tale Jesus never sold.

      Jesus DOES promise our sorrows and trials will end-one day; pain and injustice, too-one day; but probably, for most of us, not this day; and maybe not on this side of eternity. Jesus, knowing this, tells us of the mansions He's gone to build for us because He knows we need something to hold onto.

      Jesus is keeping His promises to us. The day will come when all we wade through here will be explained; where the memory of every sorrow will be wiped away; and where sorrow itself is no longer possible. It is that day Jesus died for, and that promise He stands up to keep on the day He returns.

      We have His Word the mansions are waiting, and we have His gift of the Spirit to bolster our sagging spirits. It is left to us now to lift our eyes off of present circumstances and false expectations; to face the journey, however arduous; with hearts bent on living fully now, and more fully then.

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. -I Corinthians 13:12