God's timing
How could the encounter not penetrate your soul? The woman so filled with the agony of losing someone so close and trying desperately to hurry while her body is weakened from the tears and days of mourning. Falling at His feet she cries out, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” The response was even more penetrating. To see that He was so deeply moved and troubled was amazing and then to see Him weep and know that His love was so deep for His friend.
Indeed, if He had been there the man would not have died. Why then did Jesus delay two more days after Mary and Martha sent for Him? Why go through all the tragedy and gut wrenching emotion of someone dying?
Are not these the same or similar questions that we want answered when tragedies and trials hit us? Are there not times when the circumstances of our lives cause us to lose perspective and ask, “why Lord?” After all, God has the power and ability to prevent or intervene.
My friends there are many around the country asking “why” as they struggle to pay the bills, find new jobs and come to terms with what is happening in their lives. We must recognize there are various reasons for the things that are happening in people’s lives. Some are the result of their actions and choices and some are not.
The real question that I would like to ask is this, “are we ready to respond?” What do you say to the person who has just lost their home, job or loved one when they question why God has allowed this? Should we jump right into what they did wrong?
John chapter 11 has much to offer both in terms of understanding and comfort. First, it is important to realize that in the midst of a difficult situation the emotions tend to be the first or at least the loudest responders. Therefore, I believe it is best to learn from Jesus and share in the sorrow or other emotion with the person in crisis. We are instructed to mourn with those who mourn and to rejoice with those who rejoice. This allows the emotions to be processed rather than be internalized and repressed.
It is very easy to fall into the conveyor belt trap. You know the one. It shouts loudly to us, “quickly discover the problem, give specific instructions of how to overcome it and get to the next person.” People are not objects. They are beings who have been created in the image of God. There are times when relating, caring and sharing are as important as the step-by-step solutions that we offer.
Even more importantly than us being moved by the events in people’s lives, we must clearly convey that the Lord is concerned. Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled according to John 11:33. Remember that we are Christ’s ambassadors; we are His hands and feet so to speak, but we are not Him. We must simply share peoples burdens long enough to transfer them to Jesus. Then we must receive the love of Jesus and return it to the person. Included in this exchange may be needed correction, training or even rebuke. However, these items should not be separated from His love.
The second thing that I would like to point out from John 11 is that God’s timing is perfect. We may not understand why He allows the things He does or why there seems to be delays in healings, deliverance, salvation, provision and so on, but we must not waiver in the fact that He is at work. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
It is important for us to recognize that God’s time for things may be different from our time. While we wait upon the Lord, we must be on guard and not allow ourselves to doubt or waiver. Like in the case of Lazarus, God has a plan to use your sufferings to bring glory to Himself. I would even argue that God can use our self inflicted wounds to bring glory to Himself.
Just like Mary and Martha, we must allow God to move in our lives without resentment, anger or bitterness. We must exert faith and action. Sometimes this faith and action will cause us to repent. At other times it will cause us to hope, wait and seek.
Our relationship with God should not depend on Him answering our “why” questions or even on Him intervening, healing, restoring or taking other action on our behalf. Our relationship, intimacy and faith must be based on the fact that He is the only true God and Creator. That He is superior in every way to us and that He knows when to intervene and when not to intervene.
Romans 5:6 states; “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” It was in His perfect timing that Jesus came as a babe in the manger, grew, raised up disciples and then died on the cross for our sins. It was in His timing that Christ raised from the dead and it is in God’s timing that He will return.
During the difficult times in our lives or in the lives of those who we minister to, let’s not forget that it is not God who is required to line up with our timing, understanding or desires. It is we who are required to line up with God.
I pray God’s blessing upon you as we line up with His will and wait together.
In Christ,
Dr. David M. Smuin
President,
Faith Counseling and Training