I thank God for my closed doors. For everything is beautiful in God’s timing. Even when I wanted something that I did not get, I thank God for reminding me I didn’t need it. In Him, I lack nothing and through His sovereign omniscient power, all things are working together for my good. This is not just a simple reflection. This post is a revelatory reminder of how God brought me from death to life and that He can do the same for you.
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…”
Revelation 12:11 NIV
In the Grave
You may be walking through a very difficult time in your life right now. You see the situation and it is as if you see no way out. It’s in the grave, dead, and gone. Is it your marriage? Could it be a business that is bankrupt? Or is it perhaps a report from a doctor that caught you by surprise? Please know that nothing catches God by surprise. When we see the grave, God sees purpose, possibility, and potential.
Death has stared back at me in the areas of relationships, finances, career, health, or even losing loved ones so near and dear to me. I thought the grave of those situations was the end of the chapter. Little did I know that they were opportunities to reveal God’s glory and the beginning to something beyond my comprehension.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”
Isaiah 55:8
From Death to Life
The story of Lazarus in John 11 reminds us that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life! The question to you and I today is, do you believe this? What do you do when you call out to God and he does not respond as fast you would like? In fact, your situation went from bad to worse. Now, instead of believing for a turn around, you are mourning a death. “We have to learn to trust God even when we cannot trace Him” (Pastor Courtney).
I recently attended a Women’s conference at my church and was gracefully reminded that Jesus does not mind getting in the messiness of our lives. Just as Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave, He too will speak to the dead thing in our lives to bring it to life for His glory. Even more, the results may not look like what we expected or be in the timing we wanted, but we have to recognize He is the potter and we are the clay.
“And yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.”
Isaiah 64:8
So pause with me and thank God for Resurrection Power, because God in His omnipotent power can make all things possible! And if He can take me from death to life, He can do the same for you.
Come back to the blog every Friday for weekly inspiration on faith. Inspired by Kate, author of Five Minute Fridays.
I am dancing now with death,
a truly kicky hop,
except that my lungs won’t hold breath,
and the bleeding will not stop.
Most would say, hey, let it out,
the despair that’s got you reeling,
shake your fist at God and shout
about just how you’re feeling!
I try to frown but I feel happy
in spite of all that’s sacrificed,
and the pagans call it sappy,
but I have a best mate in Christ,
so I’ll just dance and twirl and sing
whatever pain cancer may bring.
Nicci, I love the imagery of our suffering being the grace and that Jesus can call to life that situation for His glory. Thank you for sharing your words. They have touched me today. Your #fmf neighbor, Cindy
Oops, imagery of the grave.
Amen! Thanks for reading!