Something Better

People are the worst sometimes. People disappoint. They have broken their promises. And at times I tend to put God in that same basket as another person that would let me down.

For example: the story of Lazarus.

It goes like this: Lazarus was a good mate of Jesus, and he was sick and dying. Jesus knew this, but he did not go to him immediately. All powerful, healing, life-giving Jesus let his friend die. What is that?! Imagine how shocked, disappointed, upset Mary and Martha [sisters of Lazarus and also friends of Jesus] must have been.

Mary even called Jesus out on it: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Other people around were also in shock: “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Fair point! Pretty good reason to throw your faith out the window and walk away.

But what Mary and the people didn't know is that the story was not yet over.

Despite what it seemed like, despite the people's doubt, Jesus was not through with Lazarus and his loved ones. Jesus had not abandoned them in their time of need. He was just planning something so much bigger and better than a healing.

Jesus was planning resurrection, new life.

Lazarus was dead, all wrapped up in a tomb. It was hopeless, his life was over and the only one with the power to save him knew but didn't come in time.

Except that he actually did. He came in HIS time, his perfect time. In his time, death was brought to life. In his time, people saw the incredible power of God. In his time, a crazy, beautiful redemption story was written that has spanned all of time.

Maybe you're sitting, waiting, wishing like Lazarus and co. Maybe it feels like people and hopes and dreams are dying around you and Jesus isn't coming. But maybe he’s not settling to slap a a little plaster over your pain. Maybe he’s refusing to let you settle for anything less than complete resurrection. A new life. A new attitude. A new, strengthened faith.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Problems are guaranteed. Frustrations will come. There will be times when all we want to do is scream at God as we drown in our pain. But our disbelief does not nullify who he is and what he does.

He is still God.

In the midst of your struggles and doubts, Jesus will not walk out. When the broken people of this broken world have left you disappointed, he remains. And he will not disappoint. He is not ignoring you. He is not indifferent. 

My friends, I plead with you, please, please, please do not give up on Jesus. He’s not giving up on you. Although you don't see it now, behind the scenes he is writing an incredible redemption story for you.

"You don't understand now what I am doing, but someday you will."  John 13:7

Don't stop believing!

Little By Little

A couple months ago, I wrote about doing hard things. 

Here are some things that I have learnt in that process: 

• The little hard things are laying the foundations for the big. 
• Pebbles lead to landslides.
• Little by little we travel far.
• Doing hard things is an attitude, not a one-off event.
• Our hard things change over time as our comfort zone is stretched and grown.
• Consistency is key.

Something I have learnt from running this year: When I don’t exercise, I get lazy. If I want to get fit, I have to run often. And if I want to stay fit, I have to keep running. There are no shortcuts to fitness. The longer you go without doing hard things, the harder they become. There are no shortcuts to doing hard things. But the end reward is so worth it!