Today’s Reading, John 11-12
Focal Scripture: John 11:6 “So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was.”
Being on time is a big deal for me, both in my personal life and my professional life. A few years back I was having a very difficult time being on time for my job because of some severe health problems I was facing. These health problems were causing me much anguish and a considerable amount of pain in my everyday life. It was so bad that one specialists asked me how I was able to function on a day to day basis. To make matters worse I had a supervisor that didn’t value the entire person. So I couldn’t trust them to explain my health issues because they would have used it as ammunition against me. The crazy part of that story is me being late almost everyday caused me more anxiety than my actual physical symptoms. Being on time mattered much more than I can ever put into words.
In today’s reading we catch up with Jesus when he is going to see about his friend Lazarus. When he hears the news that his friend is sick, he doesn’t speed up. He actually delays his leaving by two entire days. This is an unusual response from someone who can heal from a distance. However, Jesus had a bigger plan than just healing his sickness, he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. Even though he seemed late to everyone else, he was perfectly on time.
What we need to learn from this story is that the Lord is never late. Even though he allowed Lazarus to die he had a bigger purpose in store for him and those who were with him. What was that purpose? To demonstrate that he was more powerful than death. He wanted everyone to be aware that no problem was too big for him. He demonstrated that his timeline is better than our timeline. Even when it doesn’t make sense in the moment.
Let’s make this practical for your current situation. What are you going through right now that you need an answer to in your life? If that answer hasn’t happened yet it is easy to get frustrated with God and accuse him of being late or not showing up when you need him to in your life. However, just like in Lazarus situation he might be delaying on purpose. This delay is not to punish you or to hurt you but it is to show up on his timeline. His purposes are greater. His timetable is perfect. Trust the process. Trust the one who raises people from the dead.
He is an on time God and will show up right when he has planned.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading John 13-15
