Growing My Faith

I was reading a book this week, and it started out talking about a forest fire. How devastating and long lasting it can seem the effects are, until you look past all the charred pieces, the blackened areas....and see fresh underbrush or flowers sprouting up out of the ground. Like hope in a desolate place. That's what God seems to have always done for me. In tough times I seek him more than the days when things are going well. 

This chapter went on to talk about a Bible story that has been on my heart and mind a lot lately. The story of Lazarus. How fitting that it was my last post, I knew that it was God speaking to me. Right when I could feel my soul saying, "God it's me down here, do you remember me? I am starting to lose hope." And out of my book came hope, springing to life once again my faith and hope in God.

Tears flowed down my cheeks. This time it spoke about a different aspect of Lazarus' story.

I think of Mary and Martha and all the friend who'd gather at the tomb when Lazarus died. Their grief was more than they could bear. Their hope had been that the tragedy would be averted. They had, after all, sent for Jesus. They knew He could keep this horrible thing from happening. 

But He hadn't come. At least not in time. Death had marked their family -- robbed them of their loved one and betrayed their hope. Now there was nothing but cold stone and black stubs. Desolation and death were all they could see. And even when Jesus showed up, all they could say was "If you'd only been here..." 

They could see nothing but death and its finality. They didn't recognize the fact that Jesus causes life to sprout anew. They knew that they would all be together again someday. But right now that big stone across the tomb was more than they could contend with. It cancelled all other possibilites. It overwhelmed their hope. 

....He could have supernaturally moved the rock himself. He could have raised His hands and blasted it into a million pieces. He could have caused Lazarus to walk right through it. But  He didn't. Have you ever wondered why?

The Eyes of the Heart: Seeing God's Hand in the Everyday Moments of Life by Tracie Peterson 

John 11:38-44
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stove laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. 

"But Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "By this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." 

Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"
So They took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."  

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

I never wondered WHY it was that Jesus made them move the stone, did you? Go a step further than that, have you ever wondered what would have happened if they would have stood their ground and not opened up that tomb? What would have happened if they chose in that moment to not believe in what Jesus was asking them to do? What if they didn't open themselves up to the chance to see the glory of God unfolding in front of them? All they had to do was move the stone. Jesus was willing to do the rest.

If I sit here and say, "If only you had been here God..." will I miss the chance of God saying, "Get up and move that stone, Jessica. I'm here now, can't you see...this was my plan. Even if it pains me. Beauty will come from this. You will see my glory if you just believe."

It's easy to see the negative, the horrible bits left behind. The scars are ugly and the eradication complete. But what He showed me in my own life is that I'm not alone, and that I have only to believe and to act on that belief. To take away the stone so that I might see the glory of God.

Tracie Peterson

I must be willing to act on what I profess to believe, to believe in my heart 100% that God DOES have plans for me. Even when it isn't easy. Especially when it isn't easy.

Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

I am pressing into God and His word to guide me. What stones are you needing to move? I know a few of mine. Making better choices with my heath -- both with exercise and with my diet, maybe this is indeed the "Stone" that needs to be moved for God to resurrect the brokenness of my womb. To allow hope to sprout into real life once more. Beauty from ashes. 

There is one other thing that I am trying to work on this week especially...choosing joy in spite of life feeling like it is getting in the way at times. Choosing not to grumble like the Israelites in the desert, I have been telling myself this verse today: 

Psalm 40:8
I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.