When You Disappoint Others
by Dan Jones, M.D.
John 21:4-7
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
He called out to them, “Friends, haven't you any fish?” “No,” they answered.
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
Don't you hate it when you disappoint someone you care about? As a youngster, when I failed to obey my parents in some way, my father's greatest punishment to me was a look of disappointment. He didn't intend it this way. But I respected him so much, it hurt me to know I had let him down.
Disappointing our mentors in our profession is painful, as well. I remember a night of call as an intern where I took care of several critically ill patients. It was really more than one person could do. Several were on ventilators and there were two with gastrointestinal bleeding. I worked hard to be sure all was done correctly primarily because it was the right thing to do. But the attending that month was a faculty member I respected very much. I knew he had very high expectations for the care we gave our patients. The next morning on rounds, I was proud of my achievements in providing care through the night. But now, years later, I remember as though it were yesterday the note of disappointment in my attending's voice when he noted the one minor oversight in one of the less seriously ill patient's care. Disappointing those we care about hurts - and hurts them, as well.
The scripture above notes one of the few encounters after the resurrection between Jesus and his disciples recorded in the gospels. Just before His crucifixion, Peter had failed to acknowledge he knew Jesus. Afterward, Peter was racked with regret and guilt. This story on the seashore days after the resurrection of Jesus illustrates for us how Jesus deals with us after we fail Him.
Importantly, we see from this story that Jesus will take the initiative to come to us. Peter had failed Him. Yet Jesus did not give up on Peter. He didn't write him off. Jesus sought the company of Peter and wanted to be with him.
Likewise, when we fail Him, Jesus still comes to us today. No matter how we fail and disappoint him in our spiritual lives, He does not give up on us. He loves us in spite of our failures.
Lord, thank you for being a God of second chances. When we fail you, help us to recognize when you come to us. Help us to turn to you with a spirit of love and repentance.
Dan Jones, M.D., MACP, FAHA, a board-certified Internist, a former medical missionary to Korea, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Chancellor of the University of Mississippi until 2015. Dr. Dan Jones is a member of CMDA.
Dr. Jones welcomes any comments or questions about what he has written and can be reached at - djones@umc.edu
Rounds with the Master, Spiritual Pearls from the Great Physician Devotionals are released every Monday and Thursday.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
