Good and Dead

• John 11:15 (MSG)

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I always want God to show up early. I want His deliverance sooner rather than later.

I've heard it said that, "God is rarely early, but never late." Like he's some kind of action hero that shows up at the last possible moment and brings victory. That might be true...

But then there's this story.

Lazarus is dying. His family calls out to their good friend Jesus, but he does not come early. He does not show up 'in the nick of time'. He's late. So late, that Lazarus's world literally comes to an end. The man is good and dead.

As I walk with God I try to remember this truth. When my worlds collapse I am tempted to think God doesn't care. But what I learn from this story is that sometimes Jesus shows up late, because his ultimate power is not healing, but resurrection.

Jesus raised this dead man back to life.

God doesn't just want to fix me and my life. We wants to raise it up into something new. A healing is amazing. A resurrection is life-altering. It gives you 'new grounds for believing.'

So I will try to not be sad or anxious when God is good and late. I will hold onto the hope of new life from Him. Even when I feel good and dead.

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