Dissappointment Brings Opportunity…..

On a recent citybreak weekend to London I had bought some theatre tickets to take my wife to a very popular show. We had had a great weekend and everything had gone to plan right up until we got into the queue for the show. 

The production was called “The Show That Goes Wrong”. It’s a very popular show on stage and television. Very slapstick. Very carefully calculated. And the whole show is based around things going wrong and it is a very entertaining show.

Time was moving along closer to the start of the show. Unfortunately the queue wasn’t moving along so we could be seated for the show to start. Suddenly theatre staff were coming along the line and handing out leaflets saying that the show had been cancelled. No reasons given. “Technical difficulties” were cited as the reason.

Some people actually turned and started to wonder if this was just a new twist in the show’s plotline – Wondering if the show had actually been cancelled, etc. But it was true. The show really was cancelled.

So. Here we were in London. Saturday night. St. Valentine’s weekend. And left out in limbo and not sure what to do next. As we walked along Strand in London I was churning my brains over for an idea – And then I spotted something.

Down a little street, tucked away off the main road was a large sign which read Savoy. I’d had an idea.

“Right”, I said. “C’mon. I know what we’ll do”.

“What?” Says my Mrs. “Tell me what it is before you go running off”.

“C’mon”, I said. “It’s a surprise”, taking her by the arm to cross the road.

“No. Please. Tell me what you’re planning”.

I pointed along the little street on the other side of the road to the large sign. “We are going to have champagne at the Savoy”, I said.

She looked at me like I was crazy. (But we all had a good idea about that anyway, right?)

“But, I’m not dressed for it”. “Neither am I”, I replied.

“But, they won’t let us in”. “We’ll never know unless we try”, I replied.

“But, I’m not sure about this”. “Let’s see how far we can get”, I replied.

We crossed the road and went down the little cul-de-sac, past the fountain, and in through the revolving doors. We eventually found ourselves sitting in a small lounge in the savoy and I ordered a glass of champagne. I never drink champagne. I’m not a real alcohol drinker anyway. But how many other people can say that they have had champagne at The Savoy on a St. Valentine’s weekend? My lovely wife settled for a fizzy cola.

There is a poem called “Don’t Quit” by Edgar A. Guest. It reads…

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit -
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

They are uplifting words. Inspiring. Meaningful. But there as a very deep and powerful life message in it for everyone.

Oh, my quandary over a cancelled theatre show fades into insignificance when compared to some other people’s lives when they don’t know what to do next. Or when faced with debt, divorce, death of a loved one, loss of a job, illness. These are really serious issues and they play havoc with a person’s mindset.

And if they linger on they start to have an affect on people’s mental and emotional wellbeing. This then leads on to emotional exhaustion and deep seated stress.

But the Bible tells us to have patience. And just to wait. These are very simple words and easy to say. But sometimes we just need to stop, sit a while, breath, and wait.

Isaiah ch40 v31 reads “…But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

The Old Testament also says in Ecclesiastes ch3…

⁽¹⁾ To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: ⁽²⁾A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; ⁽³⁾A time to hurt, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; ⁽⁴⁾A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; 

And the passage concludes in verse 11 “….He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

So, if you’re having more problems than you feel you can cope with. Or things a looking uncertain and the road ahead isn’t clear. Then just sit a while. And breath. If you feel like crying, then cry. If you feel like screaming, then take yourself to a quiet place a scream.

And when the emotions have settled down, then just breath. Then chat with Jesus. Tell him your thoughts. And wait.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Look full in His wonderful face.

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim.

In the light of His glory and grace.