Rise Up

If you are anything like me, you see in your daily life how desperately this world needs love and peace. You see people suffering in your daily life; you see the darkness and you can feel the heaviness. And if you are like me, you are looking for a way to bring light into the world; you are looking for a way to bring love and peace. You are looking for a way to rise up.

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

As I sat doing my morning devotional the other day, I just sat with God. I sat with a story he had given me in that moment, in this season. The story is of Lazarus. And of all the stories in the bible, I think this might be my favorite. Don’t quote me on that though because odds are I will say that again in another post about another story. But, from the story of Lazarus we learn so much about radical faith. We learn of how human Jesus really was. And again, we see God’s perfect timing played out. (Now is the time, if you haven’t read this yet that you pull out the bible app on your phone and do so! John 11:1-44)

1. Radical Faith: Both Martha and Mary are aware of who Jesus is. They know there brother is dead and they call Jesus out, saying to Him that He could have saved him. Yet, Jesus didn’t. He allowed Lazarus to die. Martha, instead of turning away from Him showed her radical faith. “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” John 11:22 As she spoke these words to Jesus in the midst of her pain and loss, she had faith. She believed in who Jesus was as the Messiah. She believed that He had come to save this world. And to me, that is so powerful. She was living a life so grounded in God that even when death came her way, she stepped out in faith. I want to live that radical faith. I want to be so grounded in who Jesus is that the ways of this world can’t shake my faith. Because this life is HARD and I want the joy and peace that God so freely gives. The hope that we are all longing for, it is found in Jesus, in who He is, in what He did for us on the cross, in what He can do for us today. And it all starts with Radical Faith.
2. Jesus As Fully Human: Jesus wept. John 11:35 He was saddened and broken by the death of a friend, someone he loved. And I believe that is powerful. For we serve a God that has experienced loss, grief, and sadness. We serve a God who has walked in what we walk, who has felt what we feel. And in that, He comes along side us. He wraps us in His arms. And in our pain and suffering, He is with us. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18
3. God’s Perfect Timing: This has been showing up a lot for me lately. And I keep reading stories in the bible where that is what seeps deep into my soul. Where I almost hear God saying to me, “Trust in my perfect timing, in my job, in my next move, for my husband, and in my friendships.” And in this story, His timing could not have been anymore purposeful and powerful. There is a waiting period that occurs here. There is a time of “not yet.” And in that waiting, there is suffering and pain. And I wonder if that is where you are today? I wonder if you’re confused, frustrated, and calling out to God, “Why?” or “What do I do?” And as I wait in God’s timing in this season of life, I too have these questions. I too feel this way. Probably exactly how Martha and Mary felt when they knew that Jesus stayed instead of saving their brother from death. But, God, He knew exactly what He was doing. “This sickness will not end in death. No. It is for God’s glory so that God’s son may be glorified through it.” John 11:4 For God’s glory. And as I am in this season of waiting, in this season of confusion and frustration with the world around me. This story gives me hope and humbles me. This life, it isn’t about me. My purpose is to glorify God. And in all the things, I trust in His perfect timing, so that I may do just that.

Now, that is not where the story ended. It did not end in the waiting. The story of Lazarus ends in the rising. Jesus so simply, yet faithfully, rose this man from the dead. And He did so to encourage the Jews to believe in He who sent Him, in God. So, that those people would see God’s glory first-hand and believe. The same is true today. We serve a God who is full of mercy and grace. A God who we are called to glorify in all that we do and say. But, if we don’t believe…we can’t do that. If we don’t rise up like Lazarus, we are only limiting ourselves. And as I am looking for a way to bring light into this world, I ask myself these questions: How can I rise up? What can I do today to step out in faith? to glorify God?

Honestly, I think for me right now, it’s to be more present. Get off my phone, let go of what I can’t control, let my to-do list go, and just live. Live into what I am doing in each moment. Be present with the people around me. Live a self-sacrificial life, one that is centered around Jesus and His love for me. Stop and pray in the moments when I start to drift away. This life is difficult, busy, frustrating, yet so beautiful. And I don’t want to miss it. I want to live it the way God intended. In the story of Lazarus, you see the plot to kill Jesus begin to unravel and it is easy to see the purpose of it all 2,000 years later. The events that happened all played into Jesus’ death and resurrection. Into the hope that He gave and still gives the world. It isn’t as easy to see what all of this discord and frustration in our world means today. Yet, we do have hope, love, peace, and joy. When we turn to God, we turn to what is good and true. And what I am reminded of, over and over again, is God’s timing. No matter what you are facing today, no matter what my day holds, I want to leave you with this. I think there is hope and purpose in it. I think there is peace and love in it. And I believe that this could be the beginning of how you can bring light into the world:

Perhaps you were born for such a time as this. Esther 4:14

Love and blessing,