In John 11 we find the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. The first part of the chapter provides the prelude for Jesus' stunning miracle. In raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus teaches us about himself and his power over death. He also demonstrates his deep compassion for people he loves.
What's striking about this prelude to the story, however, is Jesus' delay in going to Bethany. In fact, his delay is unsettling and uncomfortable. There is a need - Lazarus is sick. Jesus obviously cares. And Jesus can clearly do something about the need. But after hearing that Lazarus is sick, Jesus stays where he is for two more days.
Bible scholars explain that there is a reason for his delay. They point out that Jesus knows exactly what he is going to do, that he has a bigger plan in mind. And that's all fine and good. But what intrigues me this evening . . . is that delay.
What's striking about this prelude to the story, however, is Jesus' delay in going to Bethany. In fact, his delay is unsettling and uncomfortable. There is a need - Lazarus is sick. Jesus obviously cares. And Jesus can clearly do something about the need. But after hearing that Lazarus is sick, Jesus stays where he is for two more days.
Bible scholars explain that there is a reason for his delay. They point out that Jesus knows exactly what he is going to do, that he has a bigger plan in mind. And that's all fine and good. But what intrigues me this evening . . . is that delay.
Oswald Chambers had an interesting thing to say about this passage - and he used a phrase that touches me pretty deeply these days. He said this: "Has God trusted you with a silence - a silence that is big with meaning? Think of those days of absolute silence in the home at Bethany! Is there anything like that in your life today? God's silence is the sign that he is bringing you into a marvelous understanding of himself. If God has trusted you with a silence, praise him, for he is inviting you to understand his purposes more completely."
Yes, there are times in my life when God feels very close - and times when he speaks very clearly. But there are also times in my life when God seems strangely silent. When that happens, I normally wonder what I've done wrong. I try to figure out why God has stopped talking. But I'm drawn to that thought of Oswald Chambers. Could it be that God is trusting me with a silence?
Maybe nothing is wrong at all. In fact, maybe the silence is a sign that things are especially good. And maybe when that happens, it's just time for me to wait and watch.
In doing that - in waiting and watching - as God trusts me with a silence - I can choose to trust him!
I don't know exactly what's happening in your life these days. God may be speaking loudly and clearly to you. If so, that's a good thing. If that's happening to you, I hope that you will enjoy and celebrate that free and easy communication.
But it could be that God isn't speaking so much right now. And that might be a good thing too. It might mean that he is willing to trust us with a time of silence. In that case, we choose to wait and watch. In that case, we choose to trust him . . . even when he is very, very quiet.
In my life these days, God is very, very quiet. So I wonder if maybe he is trusting me with a silence.
Yes, there are times in my life when God feels very close - and times when he speaks very clearly. But there are also times in my life when God seems strangely silent. When that happens, I normally wonder what I've done wrong. I try to figure out why God has stopped talking. But I'm drawn to that thought of Oswald Chambers. Could it be that God is trusting me with a silence?
Maybe nothing is wrong at all. In fact, maybe the silence is a sign that things are especially good. And maybe when that happens, it's just time for me to wait and watch.
In doing that - in waiting and watching - as God trusts me with a silence - I can choose to trust him!
I don't know exactly what's happening in your life these days. God may be speaking loudly and clearly to you. If so, that's a good thing. If that's happening to you, I hope that you will enjoy and celebrate that free and easy communication.
But it could be that God isn't speaking so much right now. And that might be a good thing too. It might mean that he is willing to trust us with a time of silence. In that case, we choose to wait and watch. In that case, we choose to trust him . . . even when he is very, very quiet.
In my life these days, God is very, very quiet. So I wonder if maybe he is trusting me with a silence.