Now! Everything in our lives has become so centered on
that word. We want the Wi-Fi to work, now. We need the newest technology, now. We
rush through our day because our bosses’ need it done, now.
We’ve become so reliant on same-day delivery, immediate
responses through emails and web-based search engines that we have forgotten
about patience. The ever-churning of our instant gratifying world has removed
our ability to sit and wait.
It’s the same in our faith lives’.
“WHAT?! Good, Christian people are impatient?” …Yes, you’ve
got it exactly! We want Jesus to overflow our heart in one adoration visit. We
want God to answer our prayer by the time we get home. We want our life-plan to
match up with His character plot. We have become so used to now that we expect
God to snap His mystical fingers and align our life so that everything is
perfect… even if it’s our “perfect”.
And while, yes, God most certainly could sweep over us
as we sleep and re-arrange our lives’ to be exactly as we think they should be,
He doesn’t. Take, for example, when Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead. Martha
and Mary sent word that Lazarus was sick, and instead of immediately running to
their aid, Jesus “stayed two days longer in the place where He was” (John
11:6). But why in the world would He wait? Why wouldn’t the Man who loved Lazarus
so much get up and go?! Well, in a simple way, it wouldn’t have been as cool. Think
about it. Jesus made people well all the time. He would smear dirt over eyes,
and the blind would once again see. He would utter: “Your faith has saved you,
go in peace” (Luke 7:50) and the sick would walk. Healing was no big deal for
our perfect savior, and people would blame it on circumstance. But to bring
someone, who was dead for FOUR days back to life… that would be an undeniable
miracle.
Don’t worry, the story isn’t over! After the death of
their brother, Martha and Mary were told Jesus was coming. THIS is the best
part! Mary stays home. She’s so defeated
by her waiting that she doesn’t have enough faith or trust to even greet our
Lord. Martha, however, goes to meet Him. She starts with some classic, female
sass: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John
11:21). Jesus, in all His mercy, asks Martha if she believes He is the resurrection.
At her “Yes!”, Jesus calls out to Lazarus, “Come forth” (John 11:43) and don’t you
know it, the guy comes walking out of the tomb!!! CRAZY, right?!?
So, are you Martha, or are you Mary? Do you sit at
home, doubting He’ll do it? Or do you show up? Make the journey to your church, chapel or
favorite path. Go to the place you’ve met Him before. It's hard, believe me I know.
You wont “feel” something magical every time you pray and you might never have
a burning bush type of experience, and that’s OK. Wherever your “place” is...
just show up and be. Don't feel obligated to speak or even look up. Just be.
Peace is in the waiting.
Now! Everything in our lives has become so centered on
that word. We want the Wi-Fi to work, now. We need the newest technology, now. We
rush through our day because our bosses’ need it done, now.