Hurry up, Jesus!

"Hurry up, Jesus!" Have this thought ever crossed your mind? We sense a similar frustration in those who surround Jesus in the story of Lazarus. Remember Lazarus? He is the friend of Jesus who was dead for four days before Jesus shows up and resurrects him. The point seems to be that Jesus intentionally delays his visit to Lazarus. He receives word that his friend is sick but doesn't show up for four days. By then Lazarus is dead. His family is distraught, to say the least. They did not understand that Jesus intended to perform a miracle. They only knew that He had not come when they expected him too.

They just didn't understand!

St. Augustine once said in a sermon, "We are talking about God. What wonder is it that you do not understand? If you do understand, then it is not God." Sometimes God defies, outlasts, or overturns our expectations. But is He any less God? Is He any less at work? John’s gospel assures us that no matter what, Jesus is always working on our behalf (John 5:17).

Waiting. Confusion. Frustration. All we may have are the words of God's love without the immediate evidence of action to back it up. These are occasions and challenges to face the reality of life in this world and the reality that miracles do not always occur in the manner we expect. All we may have is the promise of God's love. Is that enough in your moments of crisis? It's okay to voice our frustrations and anger to God. It's ok not to have all the answers. Indeed, as a result of the death of Lazarus and the desperation of the ones he loved, it is said that Jesus 'also grieved' and 'he cried' (11:33, 35). Perhaps, we can take comfort that when God does not act the way we expect, it is enough to know his love is still there. But if that is still not enough, perhaps we can take solace that Jesus understands our pain. As a man Christ fully experienced our pain both emotionally and physically.

The reality of life is that there will be situations we do not know how to deal with. There will always be situations we do not understand. But who would want to serve a God He can control. I would rather serve an all-powerful God, even if I have to trust without understanding at times. Is there a situation you need some understanding about? Tell Jesus about it today! You might not get the answer you would expect. You just might get something even better!
 Lord, when life spins into a "holding pattern," allow me to trust that you are at work. In the hidden places, the shameful places, the empty places – allow me to trust that you are at work. I ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.