I love when I see God weaving something in my life.
Sunday service, Sunday preschool, Hope Wednesdays and a women's ministry event have all been talking about Lazarus. Crazy!!
I know in this world we will have trouble - it is a guarantee. And I do not always walk through it well. I want to be better and navigate it stress-free so it does not affect my emotions. Goodness, I would not want anyone to see that I might be having a rough day or TROUBLE.
I am sure Mary and Martha felt that "trouble" when their brother died. They treasured him, and now he was gone from this earth. It made me think about what I have treasured and lost, which led me to this question: What is my Lazarus? Things that came to mind are family and church relationships, and dreams of how my life could have been. I am sure I could think of more. The faith of Mary and Martha did not waver, as they knew they would see their brother again. But, they didn't realize just how soon that would be!
John 11:4 But when Jesus heard about it He said, "Lazarus's sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this." Jesus had the victory. When Jesus arrived in Judea Lazarus had been buried in the tomb for four days. Martha came to meet Jesus and said, "Lord, IF you had been here, my brother would not have died. (Those what if's will make you crazy.) Jesus said, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." But Martha was missing the point. Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes Lord." she responded. "I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world."
If you are not familiar with this TRUE STORY I suggest you grab your bible and look up John 11 and see what happened. There is an exciting ending for the sisters! Jesus had the victory all for God's glory; He did not fail and He can never fail. And He will never fail me! I am the one that fails by listening to whispers of self doubt from the devil. God's Word is always true, so I have to go back to it again and again, reminding myself who He says I am. As I wait for help or an answer I will remember that a delay does not mean a lack of love. Again, the victory has already been won!
This month the verse we are memorizing in preschool is John 16:33. "In this world you will have trouble, but be encouraged, I have won the battle over the world." This is encouragement for everyone. Take a moment and ponder what you have treasured and lost. What is your Lazarus?