The Lazarus Experiment - Day Two

You don't have to wait.

In the story about Lazarus' death-changing experience, waiting is a central theme. The air is thick with it.

Jesus is contacted to come to the aid of his friend, since he is on his deathbed. The family knows that Jesus can stop the morbid process. But Jesus hangs back. Tension builds.

Jesus finally makes his way to Bethany, but it's too late. Lazarus is dead. And the implication is that Jesus is at fault. Martha meets Jesus on the road to tell him the news, and to inquire - gently - about his tardiness. Jesus tells Martha that her brother, Laz, will rise again.

"I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Martha affirmed truth. It's nice to hope. Good to have something to get us through the dark times, the dead zones. It doesn't stop the mourning, but it may dull the sting.

But . . .

Jesus does not intend for Martha to wait. He does not intend for Lazarus, his dear friend, to languish in death. Jesus intends to shout into the nether-regions and bring Laz out. Not then, not in the sweet-by-and-by. Not "on the last day."  Now. NOW. RIGHT NOW!

II Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 
You don't have to wait.

Suggested Scripture For Today: Psalm 30
 
Suggested Ideas: 

1. Take a walk in the rain.

1. Hold someone's hand for an almost inappropriately long time.

1. Print out and cut out the Lazarus Cards to hand to people over the next weeks.

1. Message five people who you don't contact very often and tell them something great about them.

1. Do something crazy for April Fools' Day!

Hope your day is alive.

Ron

Gosh this stuff is so so good!

Here is my response to day two:

day 2 - April 1 was indeed a day of joy! Bittersweet joy in many way but joy nonetheless. A dear baby was born this day to a young lady whom we all hoped would be my second daughter in law. As fate would have it, she and my son were not intended to be. Through my son's love of the Lord and his own gentle spirit, he was able to look past the hurt and find a friendship with his ex-fiance and in doing so opened the doors to she and I continuing a relationship once again. Ordinarily I would have said this would have been awkward and unhealthy. But - this young lady has had a difficult and tumultuous upbringing - unstable and rocky. Her mother was verbally abusive and neglectful. The parents divorced when this young lady (third of five children) was young and a resentful mother (who was the instigator - you know how green the grass is on the other side of the fence - until you get there) and refused contact between the father and the children. When they were allowed to see their dad, the exchanges were horrid and filled with anger and sadness for the children. As the children grew older they were able to look past their mother's anger and find a relationship with their father that is much different now but the damage done to their ego's over the years is great. This young lady is a very young 20, and sweet, generous and giving while also hot headed, rocky and unsettled. I have tried to help fill the gaps showing her how a loving family operates, how we interact, how we work together to solve issues, how we trust, converse, behave, and - well - love. When they broke up, it was over the idea that she never wanted children and my son wanted at least two. She had stuck her feet in the ground on it and so had he. They split up and she went back to her old boyfriend (whom she had been seeing behind my son's back apparently). Five months later she was pregnant and unmarried and frustrated. 

But God is good - this young lady who was adamant and stuck in the mud found her way out, is still with this young man and is not planning a future with him. On Monday they welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. I have heard things said by these two young people I never expected to hear and I have seen a love and generosity of spirit in my son that is overwhelming. I am confident all three of these young people and this beautiful little baby are on their way to allowing a healing of spirit and heart that took a lot longer to break. I pray for His love to continue to guide and strengthen them all. And I thank him for the joy and the miracles only He can bring us.