We live instant. Delay is unacceptable. Kids are now practically born with technology that can virtually deliver what you want when you want it. Feedback is instant. Information is instant. We highlight the seeming instant successes of some major technology companies.
Life is not instant. Life is full of delays. The stoplight. The slow traffic. The problem with your proposal. The injury that doesn’t heal. The other person in your current conflict. When you get delayed what happens in you?
I have personal issues with delay
I’m walking with a bunch of delays. Actually I’m sitting on the couch today with my ankle elevated because I twisted it badly last night playing soccer. ANY movement today is delayed or dependent on others transporting me. That doesn’t fit with my personality or my schedule!
Other current examples for me include delayed healing in my family over the last 12 months; the current feedback I got about a proposal that has delayed a launch; a business deal that continues to be delayed; my desired financial position that keeps moving…
In the process I realize I’m ticked off at God. He didn’t deliver on time. He didn’t respond according to my faith… my expectations.
I’ve given up my life to follow Him off-the-grid and we have spent eight years… EIGHT YEARS enduring delay after delay after delay of what I expected Him to do.
…is there something wrong with me?
…is God withholding good from me?
…does God really love me?
Is God punishing me?
Ok, now we are getting to the heart of the matter. Where’s a good place to look for answers on that one?
Lazarus, Jesus friend. [John 11]
Lazarus was sick. Not just man-flu, but REALLY sick.
“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”
That’s cool. To have in black and white that Jesus loves you…but check out this next statement:
“So, when He heard that he was sick he stayed two more days in the place where He was.”
What??? I thought He loved Lazarus. If He had a guaranteed answer or solution to the problem and was super connected and loved the guy, why the heck did he create more of a problem by delaying? What kind of friend is that? Who would want a friend like that??!!
Jesus delayed to the point his friend died. Wow! Interesting friend!
Was it an issue of love?
Delay is not lack of love
Scroll down the story and you read Jesus actually wept over what had happened. When he approached the tomb He probably still had tears on His face.
Delay is not punishment
Jesus delay toward me is not an issue of love. He is not punishing me. I have done nothing wrong. His love for me is unquestioned.
So why the delay then?
Why would a GOOD shepherd and friend with answers hold back if His love was fully on?
There is a bigger purpose at play
There was a bigger purpose at play than Lazarus alone. Bigger than his comfort, his emotional condition, his financial condition, his confusion and questioning of the friendship of Jesus…
You are valuable and loved and your individual situation brings Jesus to tears AND you are one part in a master plan for the good of all creation with eternity in mind.
We think temporary; we have limited time. He thinks eternal; He created time within eternity.
We think death is the end. He proved it’s not.
We know Him as healer. He is more than healer… He is the resurrection and the life.
How can you know Jesus as resurrection and life without dying? You can’t.
His overall purpose and plan is bigger than your individual comfort in this moment.
He loves you, period.
This delay is a gift of something greater that you may not understand right now. That is mystery.
Trust Him
This delay is an invitation (challenge) to trust Him. Even if you end up in a tomb. Will you really trust Him to the point of death?
Hmmmmm…. that would make you really dangerous: That you would not love your life even to the point of death.
He is the miracle working God.
Death is not final.
Suffering is part of the process.
Jesus truly loves you.
The greater the delay the bigger the reward.
You are part of something much bigger than your own comfort.
This will all make sense one day.
Delay is just added promotion
Keep walking. Keep believing. Keep loving.
And if you find yourself stone cold in a tomb, just relax… you will hear Him call your name in a moment… He is really good at resurrection.
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