Our Journey - Even Now
I'm very late posting my blog, as in the midst of some pretty serious life circumstances this week, I found myself feeling a bit frightened, even somewhat hopeless - not because I thought God wasn’t able to intervene and handle the situation, but because I wondered if it was too late – too late for specific prayers, too late for preparations, and too late for interventions. Had I missed that window of time in which I could have stormed the gates of heaven, pleading my case? A great deal of “shoulda, woulda, coulda’s,” raced through my ever-busy mind.
Then I found myself in John Chapter 11, wherein Martha and Mary sent word to Jesus that their brother, Lazarus, was extremely sick. Jesus’ immediate response? “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
But this bold statement wasn’t followed by Jesus running to his friend. Instead He waited at least four days to be by his side.
Why the delay? And how did Martha (and her sister Mary) feel about this apparent lack of response? Were they frustrated, fearful, or offended? Wasn’t Jesus their friend? Didn’t He care? And if He did care, wouldn’t he have immediately run to Lazarus’ side? What the heck was taking Him so long?!
Lazarus died. Hope was lost. The mourning began. Friends and family gathered to comfort those left behind, mingling their own sorrow with those who loved dear Lazarus, a great man and friend to many.
Perhaps casseroles, (better known as “funeral food” in my Southern upbringing) had already arrived at Mary and Martha’s house; memorial arrangements had been made; thoughts and plans for how life would go on without this beloved man had begun to formulate; tissues had been placed around the room; and sadness permeated the atmosphere. The moment for a Holy intervention had passed, all because Jesus decided to wait. Certainly this could have been prevented! But now it was too late. Or was it? I wonder how I would have felt.
Then there was a twist…a shift…as Martha, yes hectic, frantic Martha, the one who famously missed the opportunity to sit at Jesus’ feet and bask in His presence, realized something that everyone else didn’t. “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But EVEN NOW I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Martha knew something everyone else didn’t – time and circumstances didn’t contain God. In her wisdom, she allowed the supernatural to over-ride and over-power the rational and natural. Jesus’ response? “Your brother will rise again.”
And Lazarus did rise again. After four days of being encapsulated in a tomb, he rose from the dead to live life and return to those he loved most.
Thank you, Martha, for reminding me that it’s never too late. Even now, despite seemingly missed opportunities, unspoken prayers, unsubmitted petitions, Jesus can do the miraculous. When possibilities seem to have died – EVEN NOW the miraculous is possible through the power of Jesus Christ.
It’s very likely each of us has an “Even Now,” in our lives, whether it be dreams that have died, moments that have passed, unanswered prayers, or relationships that seem beyond repair. Whatever the “Even Now”, allowing our hearts and minds to embrace the reality that Jesus is not confined by human, time, circumstantial or traumatic restraints, and that His power transcends all time and space, makes way for the miraculous and supernatural to take place.
Even now, your dream can be realized, despite your age, limitations, or situation. Even now relationships can be mended through the power of the Holy Spirit. Even now that house can be sold, that job can be acquired, and that opportunity can be realized. Even now your heart can be healed, your mind can be at rest, and your anxiety can dissipate. Even now, in the midst of the crazy situation you’ve found yourself in, that peace that passes all understanding can overwhelm you in such a way that you have a bit of difficulty recognizing yourself. Even now.
So like Martha, who we know from past experiences wasn’t the most peaceful of people, we too can have an overwhelming confidence that EVEN NOW Jesus is at work. He hasn’t left or forsaken us. He has a hope and a future for us. And His supposed delay may just be a set-up for the miraculous to occur. Even now.
As always, thank you for loving, caring and supporting us! We love you!
Cammie (and Stan)
