The Initiative Against Despair
Rise, let us be going. -
Matthew 26:46
The disciples went to sleep when they should have kept awake, and when they
realized what they had done it produced despair. The sense of the
irreparable
is apt to make us despair, and we say - "It is all up now, it is no use
trying any more." If we imagine that this kind of despair is exceptional, we
are
mistaken, it is a very ordinary human experience. Whenever we realize that
we have not done that which we had a magnificent opportunity of doing, then
we are apt to sink into despair; and Jesus Christ comes and says - "Sleep on
now, that opportunity is lost for ever, you cannot alter it, but arise and
go to the next thing." Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of
Christ, and go out into the irresistible future with Him.
There are experiences like this in each of our lives. We are in despair, the
despair that comes from actualities, and we cannot lift ourselves out of it.
The disciples in this instance had done a downright unforgivable thing; they
had gone to sleep instead of watching with Jesus, but He came with a
spiritual
initiative against their despair and said - "Arise and do the next thing."
If we are inspired of God, what is the next thing? To trust Him absolutely
and
to pray on the ground of His Redemption.
Never let the sense of failure corrupt your new action.
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Victoria E Gilkerson
