Have you ever been caught saying one thing and doing another? That third cup of coffee you know is not good for you, but you go ahead and drink it. That person you know is not good for you, but one date couldn’t hurt. And every parent knows children are masters at calling you out when you say one thing and do another.
To speak is one thing, to act is another. Our actions reveal what we really believe, more so than mere words. Our sister, Martha, puts this on display as she continues to interact with Jesus.
Before the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus said to Martha that her brother would rise again. She said, “Yeah, I know that he will rise again in the last day” (John 11:23–24, paraphrase). Jesus responded with, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26). Martha responded with, “Yes, Lord” (John 11:27).
Later in the story, when Jesus went to the tomb of Lazarus and asked the stone be moved to uncover the opening, Martha exclaimed, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days” (John 11:39). Jesus responded with, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).
Martha said she believed Jesus, and Jesus said, “Watch me do what you say you believe.” She got to live what she believed, and Jesus was faithful to do what he said. How often does Jesus say to us, “Do you believe?”
Jesus invites us to live a life that is alive and resurrected. We say we believe it, and now we get to live it. After all, Jesus has brought us from death to life! As he did with Martha, Jesus graciously calls us to grow in faith and to live with hopeful expectation. Do we live as though we truly believe he is making all things new?
This resurrection and life are for all to receive. As Jesus called Martha to live out her faith and to trust him, others saw Jesus at work in Martha’s life. “Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him” (John 11:45). The community watched as Jesus loved this family, growled at death, talked to his Father in heaven, and used his power to bring life from death. And many believed.
When we make way for Jesus to show his love and resurrection power, others notice. As we grow in our belief in Jesus as the resurrection and life, we have the opportunity to continue to throw off our former life of death and live into his resurrection, power, and promises (Galatians 5:1). He has given us life and when we live it, others long to live as well. It is only by his resurrection power that we can do this.
God is calling me to live my faith as I pursue my doctorate while working full time. This has been challenging and something that I know I can’t in my own strength. I have needed to lean on Him and trust Him even though it looks different than I planned. There has been such beauty shown in this process of surrender as I learn daily to truly letting go and letting God. Putting my hope and trust in Christ in this area of my life is something that I must continuously do as challenges come my way and He has shown himself to be faithful and present at all times.
That’s awesome
Congratulations
Keep trusting him!
How often have I responded like Martha? And yet stood before the closed grave and said "this can’t be done". The thing is: believing that Jesus can do the really big things I do not struggle with. Like Martha I KNOW that he can do the absolute impossible. But also like her I always assume this will be somewhere in the future. Another months or years from know. Actually believing that I am going to witness the miracle right now – that is what I really struggle with again and again.
My father, who has MS, recently had his second stroke. My faith is growing in that I am mindfully stepping aside from the human concerns of "why my dad?; "what did he do wrong?; "when will this be over?" and into "God, I pray that this situation will bring you glory."; "I know that my father’s testimony of your goodness will be like no other"; and "I know that he can do all things through You". I am learning to speak God’s promises to my mother and family. I am stepping in to my spiritual gift of encouragement and truly feel the Holy Spirit moving within me.
God is telling me to trust him with me leaving a school and going to another one for new opportunities and better support. He has the same plan for my husband as we were both working in an unhealthy environment.
God is calling me to live my faith through my business and my writing to serve others with the gifts he has given me. I have been feeling the attack of the enemy when I fall into self doubt and worrying what others may think of what I am doing. As I release all the disappointment I feel in myself at how much I hold back and overthink everything I do, Jesus is saying "You are the girl for this job, and I am going to help you do it, trust me in everything! I need you to use the gifts I have given you to help others and to love them well. Trust me."
The more I study my Bible, the more my faith grows. Life has been quiet up to now; I just pray that He will keep me in His presence when anything else comes about.
I don’t know what the next purpose He has for me. I’m in my gravy years and I cannot be as active as I want to be. My get up and go …….got up and went.
He has really challenged me to be open and honest about my faith with others, especially in sharing the hope He has given me. I’ve always been open about attending church, but I’m realizing how powerful it is to truly share my heart with others. God is so, so good. There is a lot worth sharing about the way He has worked in my life, and continues to do so.
Amen!
Jesus is saying trust me during this time of unemployment. I am trusting Him for my future. What is it that God wants me to do next? I am glad for this time to wait on Him.