Inspire: A Defining Moment

“I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believs in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe?” John 11:25-26 NIV

 

It took Jesus two days to show up.

Two days!

He got the word, knew the news, was close by and still didn’t go.

This man, Jesus loved.

This man, Jesus spent time with.

This man, connected with Jesus in the depth of his soul.

Yet, Jesus didn’t hasten to see an ailing friend.

Lazarus died.

Jesus wept.

And the sisters, who begged for Jesus to come earlier, could only say with frustration, and certainty, when He finally arrived…

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

What in your life has Jesus seemed to delay on?

“Lord, if you had been here, _________________.”

Our hearts get heavy when we’re faced with turmoil and we wonder where the promises are? We wonder where all the miracles are? We wonder where Jesus is when all we ever hear is, He will show up…but He seems to not. We believe and we trust and we hope; yet our mourning comes.

And this is where we define our Lazarus moment.

It wasn’t about the words said later at a tomb that raised a friend, it was about the ones said before Jesus took a step to go.

“This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

When Jesus delays, when we hear no answer, when we see a tomb of problems before us, will we look for a miracle in the mire, or will we glorify God in the delay?

Sometimes, that is the greater miracle Jesus wants us to have.

Study references: (click on each to be connected directly to bible verses) John 11:1-44, Psalm 31:23-24, Psalm 71:5,

4 Replies

  1. Carlotta Fischer

    Have finally been able to take a few minutes to check emails. How true that we get caught up in waiting for the answers we want or the miracles instead of just believing that He has us and everything happens in His time. I just love this post and it is one I will print out and keep handy for a reminder when things become overwhelming. Thanks for all your posts. Look forward to them always. Thanks Renae.

    1. Oh Carlotta, what sweet words–thank you. And YES, He does have us and everything is in His time! Great words! Many blessings to you.

  2. Lori Perez

    Oh Renae that is so good. That one gets an AMEN. Love the words. Thank you for writing about this this week. Thank you always for your inspiring words.

    1. Thank you for the kind words Lori. Amen and Amen, too!!

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