I had underlined and starred certain sections.
I knew the story in and out and could tell you the beginning, middle, end.
Yes, I had heard about Lazarus - all wrapped and cold and days dead in a tomb..... answering the call of a Savior telling him to come out.
My mind's eye had conjured up the image, many times, of a stenched dead man rising to life and stumbling out of a cave tomb.
I had pictured Mary and Martha - Lazarus' sisters wailing in grief over the loss of their kin - only to then picture them at the feet of Jesus.... crumbled in heaps of thanksgiving and outright awe.
But yesterday - sitting on the far side cushion of my stained couch, under a broken lamp shade that fell prey to a soccer ball being kicked in the house -
A certain verse from Laz's story leapt off the printed page and settled down right into the depths of my soul.
This is what the Lord said to Martha right before her brother was brought back to the land of the living....
Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40)
Read that again. Roll around in it, if you will. Let it tumble off your tongue and let it seep deep into your psyche.
Ah. Somebody besides me needs to sit on that verse for a while.
"Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"
The reading of this passage was so timely and pertinent for me - and the Spirit knew it.
So in His goodness, He all but highlighted that verse, as I sleepily made my way through Bible reading that morning.
It was as if the Lord was sitting right in front of me....asking me the very same question.
You see - there's been lots of changes taking place in these parts lately. There's been a job change. There's soon to be a slight location change. And the trajectory of our lives has shifted a bit.
All good. All God.
But change is change. And leaving something known for something new - it can feel risky and odd and it can be dredged in worry. It's certainly been all those things....
But....
When God's hand is on something or somebody - your doubt-filled mind will eventually end up seeing it.
And see it, I have.
Oh friends....just in the last week alone - God's provision has been unprecedented. His presence has been thick and His direction glowing.
I cry at the thought of it.
It had all come to a head the night before. All the blessings and gifts and guidance that the Lord had been providing....all came into the light at once. Many of the whys and whens and wheres - were revealed.
And so - sitting there with my Bible open to John, with all the blondes still quiet in bed... He asked me...
"Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"
And my bottom jaw fell open a bit - and I sat in silence for a moment and I answered Him aloud...
Yes. Yes! Good Lord, yes.
And so today - if you find yourself on the dark side of things....if you find your life dead and drying in certain areas - I urge you to believe! And if you struggle to believe.....tell Him! Ask Him! For even our faith in Him comes from Him!
What a gracious God!
And then - when you have stood in the faith He Himself has given you....and when divine time is right...
You'll behold His glory. You will.
And when He asks you....
"Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"
Sister, you will give a hearty and a resounding head-nod of a 'yes!' as you blink through faith-filled tears.
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Be encouraged. You'll witness His wild glory and grace before too long, sweet one.
It's on it's way.
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*Note: Right before I hit the publish button on this happy little post here, I got an email with disappointing news. Nothing serious, just something dear. Something that I had gotten optimistic about that fell flat. Very flat. So know - I'm well aware that being hopeful.....can be very hurtful, at times. Therefore, on many fronts I stand with you.....waiting. Waiting for grace and glory to come in. Hugs to you all.
