We have all resonated with Martha.
We know the story of Martha getting lost in her task list over choosing to be with Jesus, and, honestly, we’ve all been there. Life’s demands, ever louder than the still small whisper of our Loving Creator, easily sways our attention from the one thing that would benefit us most- undivided time in His presence.
But there is another, more faith-filled, story of Martha.
And once again, I find myself resonating with her.
Her brother, Lazarus, a precious friend of Jesus, is dying. She knows Jesus well. She knows he is dependable, reliable, faithful, and that He loves her family. She knows that if she calls for him to come, He can heal her brother. She believes that He will heal her brother if she asks Him. So she sends for him.
But her expectations are not met.
He doesn’t come immediately. In fact, he sends a message and chooses to stay in town for days... and her brother dies. When Jesus finally does arrive, she runs out to meet Him, expressing her broken expectation while also confessing her faith in Him- that she knows her brother could have lived if He had been there. She further exhibits faith when she agrees with His teaching about the future resurrection. She knows Jesus. She feels confident and sure of what to expect from Him.
What she doesn’t know, is that there’s still so much more to Him.
If you’ve been walking with the Lord for a long time, and/or serving in ministry where you get to see the work of Jesus day in and day out, like I (thankfully) get to, maybe you are like me (and Martha) and fall into a place of feeling like I know what to expect from Him. I know His character- His love, faithfulness, patience, forgiveness, etc.
“In order for Him to show up in ways that are beyond what I would ask or imagine, He would have to function outside of what I’ve experienced and expect. ”
I think I know that it would have been better if He showed up by a certain time, if He worked in the ways I’ve seen Him work and come to expect.
Or maybe, I’m relying too much on my own knowledge and experience and, in fact, He has a whole lot more to show me.
There is still so much more.
If you are going through a season that seems confusing, and like the Lord isn’t meeting your expectations, maybe He’s doing something new! Maybe, like with Martha, He’s going to do something far greater than what you could ask or imagine!
(A note about when He works in new -to us- ways: He is always true to His character as He has expressed through His Word. Be sure to test the spirits of any new spiritual activity. Not all things that seem good are actually Godly.)
If you feel stuck in confusion or struggling with broken expectations, I’d love to walk alongside you. Schedule a session today!