Sometimes we walk away from the very things that are meant to be blessings in disguise simply because we do not understand God's love. - GB
Hello friends and welcome back to another week! Sorry for not posting last week. In an effort to make up for the missed week, I will do a regular post this week and do an end of month/beginning of the new month post next week.
This week's post is actually one that has been on my mind for the last couple weeks. As I've mentioned previously, I do not believe in coincidences. So after listening to three different people talk about this same subject along with the current circumstances in my life, I feel like God might want me to share this with my readers. With that said, and to continue on the theme of love, today's post is titled: God's love.
The story of Lazarus getting raised from the dead is one that I heard several times growing up. In fact, I encourage you to read John chapter 11 and get the entire story for yourself.
In a paraphrased version, we see Jesus must have been a friend to Lazarus and his sisters; because when Lazarus got sick, his sisters sent word to Jesus stating: "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." John 11:2.
The part of this story that stood out to me the last couple weeks is the fact that Jesus never showed up until Lazarus passed away and was even buried.
Now, why do you think Jesus did that?
In the past, I've always just assumed that the Son of God must've been preoccupied with other things and thus couldn't make it; but the Lord opened my eyes to the truth I've been missing all these years.
Of course, Jesus wasn't too preoccupied to make it to His friend's house and heal him before he died. His omniscient mind knew how the story would end even before it started. However, because of God's love, He wanted more time, so that the end of this story would have more of an impact.
Imagine if Jesus would've gone to Lazarus' house as soon as his sisters sent word to Jesus; how many people would've heard the story of another person that Jesus healed and be extremely touched? Yes of course, perhaps a few would've been impacted, but He knew the chances of a better outcome.
Verses 14 and 15 notes: "Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”
Waiting until Lazarus died would garner more attention and cause many more hearts to believe.
What is your current situation? Do you feel like Jesus has abandoned you because you feel like He hasn't answered your prayers?
What if the delay was His way to show you and others God's love?
One of the few times, we see Jesus crying in the Bible is in verse 35 which states: "Jesus wept." This caused people to realize that Jesus truly cared about Lazarus. Verse 36 confirms this: "Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”
However, even though Christ risked His reputation as a great friend, He knew what a powerful message a great ending would send.
Fast forward to verses 41 through 46, we find Jesus performing a miracle that impacted the world. "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him."
Yes you read the last line correctly, many of the Jews came to believe in Jesus.
Again, I want to ask: what if your past/current circumstances were meant to not only impact you; but also lives you haven't met?
Just to be transparent with you all; life has been difficult for me and my husband in a lot of ways the last 6 to 9 months. But we're holding on to the fact that God is working everything in a way that will bring glory and honor to His name and at the same time impact countless lives.
Conclusion
Sometimes we walk away from the very things that are meant to be blessings in disguise simply because we do not understand God's love. His Love doesn't promise a pain-free life; but instead assures us of an impactful story if we let Him take the lead. Romans 8:28 states: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
When Lazarus was raised from the grave, his immediate family were not the only ones to become impacted by this miracle, the entire Jewish community was touched as well.
What if your story isn't just for you? What if it was meant to touch the world? How are you going to let God's love shine through your current struggles?
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the reminder about your love. Please help me to trust and rely on you even with my current circumstances. Grant me the faith to believe that there is not a day or time that you're not involved in the intricate details of my life; and allow me to understand the depths of your love. Please give me strength to persevere in the midst of any difficulty I may or currently face and let my story be used for your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen!
Stay Blessed
❤
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