The Lord has taught me so much out of His word over the course of my lifetime. Yet, one of the passages He often draws me back to is John 11.
In John 11 we see Lazarus is sick and is going to die. Mary and Martha loved Lazarus and naturally did not want him to die, so they called for Jesus fully believing that Jesus could heal him. Yet Jesus, like so many times in the Bible, did the unexpected. He did not drop everything and come right away. He waited. As He waited, we learn that Lazarus died. When Jesus finally comes, we see Him walking into the lives of many people grieving the loss of Lazarus and two women, Mary and Martha who were honestly upset and disappointed that Jesus did not come when they needed Him.
If I am being honest I find myself like Mary and Martha lot. I know exactly what Jesus can do. I know what He has promised me in His word and far too often I come to Him in prayer and it seems as if He is waiting. It can be hard and frustrating.
Yet, when Mary and Martha were grieving, Jesus knew what He was doing and He had a plan far greater than they could have imagined bringing His name so much more glory. We read, in John 11 that Jesus walked up to the grave and called out to Lazarus and Lazarus came walking out of the grave! WALKING OUT OF THE GRAVE!!!! If I’m not careful, I miss the magnitude of that moment. Lazarus was once dead and is now alive. It’s incredible!
This story always reminds me that Jesus is never late. He never misses anything in our lives. Jesus knew exactly what would happen and what He had in store. It would have been a miracle had Jesus of healed him. Yet, how much more incredible that He raised Him from the dead.
I had this moment the other day. I have “deadlines” I need to meet in order to go on the World Race. & I found that while I was doing well with my fundraising that I still had a lot of money to raise. I sat on the floor of my bedroom and cried out to the Lord. Much like Mary and Martha, I know that He is able to provide. He is able to do far more than I could ever imagine. & so I prayed and asked Him to provide for me. & sure enough, He did. The very next night my doorbell rang and a sweet family came over to our house with sweet notes of scripture an encouragement and donated to my trip the exact amount I had prayed for the night before.
I sat on my kitchen floor and cried. I would have been grateful to receive that money the day I signed up for the World Race or even the next week. But I didn’t because God knew what He was doing. He knew that in making me wait, that it would make me more reliant on Him, it would bring Him more glory, and it would remind me yet again of His calling on my life, His love for me, and His faithfulness to His children. Jesus knew exactly what I needed and He provided.. just like He always does!
I don’t know what mountain is in front of you, what you’re praying and asking the Lord to help you with, or what is going on in your life. Maybe this Christmas is hard for you because you realize it might be the last with a person you love or it’s your first without a person you love. Maybe you’re not sure how you’re going to pay your bills or continue to feed your family. I don’t know. BUT, I do know that the God we serve is fully aware of the circumstances of your day. He knows what’s going on in your life and exactly what you need & friend, He’s never late. He may not show up like we thought He would and He might not do what we thought would be best, but I can assure you that when He shows up and when He works, that His glory will be revealed & His name will be lifted higher! You can trust Him – even when it doesn’t make sense or you don’t understand what He is doing!
I’m praying for all those who read this tonight. That you would feel loved and encouraged and know that God loves you and sees you tonight.
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” John 11:25-26
Much Love & Many Blessings, Lauren
