Emotions
When Mary realized Jesus was alive, she was ecstatic. Mary's reaction was understandable. She wanted to retain that moment of ecstasy. But Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father'" (John 20:17). Mary was instructed to release her grip on Jesus and share what she'd learned with her friends. There are some experiences that are meant to be temporary, and we should not expect to retain them.
Don't feel guilty if you're not on one continuous high. Be realistic you can't stay on spiritual mountaintops forever. The test of our relationship with God is not emotion but obedience.
Maybe you experienced a spiritual high years ago. The birth of a child, the final night of Christian camp, the day you were baptized, a prayer vigil at church, the first time you helped win a friend to Christ. It may have resulted in tears of joy, and you felt the closeness of the Holy Spirit.
But over the years emotions have faded and the excitement has waned. Perhaps you no longer feel as excited about your relationship with Christ and you wonder what's wrong. You'd give anything if you could just hold on to that feeling you had then.
It is a test of character when the excitement fades and life settles into a routine. You're not expected to shout "Hallelujah!" all the time. You are expected to be faithful and obedient even when life seems like a daily grind. You are expected to maintain a level of intensity about your faith that communicates your priorities to others. God hasn't called us to follow our feelings but to follow his commands.
Consider
I. Think of one of the most emotional events in your life so far. What made it such a powerful moment? What was the result of the event?
2. When Jesus talked to Mary after the resurrection, did he ... (a) say she should keep her emotions in control? (b) ignore her emotions? (c) try to help her use her emotions to do something good? (d) say or do something else? Explain the wisdom of his answer.
3· In what kind of situations are you most likely to let your emotions take charge? How could those strong emotions help or hinder God's work?
pastor paul leavens