I’ve had a wake-up call. I didn’t even know I was asleep to this, but, reflecting a bit, I see that culture has invaded my thinking in subtle ways, under-the-radar ways. We talk about the ‘me first’ phenomenon but I thought that was a generation after me. But no. For instance, if I’m sick, I assume God wants to heal me. If I’m late for an appointment, I assume God will keep the lights green to speed me on my way. If I have a question, I assume God is busy putting together a package of information for me. If I need a parking space at the shopping center, I assume God is preparing the perfect spot – for me. Yeah, I know, sick, isn’t it? Me! Me! Me! I think I’m like the Pharisees, fully self-centered and making grandiose assumptions of my all-importance in God’s daily calendar. Hoo, boy.
It was one verse of Scripture that roused me from my stupor: Concerning Jesus’ special friend, Lazarus, and his illness Jesus makes this stunning revelation to his disciples: “This sickness will not end in death for Lazarus, but will bring glory and praise to God. This will reveal the greatness of the Son of God by what takes place.” John 11:4, TPT. The Kingdom work Jesus was commissioned to do in coming to the earth as a man was to glorify his Father and magnify the perfection of His Kingdom. Sure, God loved Lazarus and his sisters, but Lazarus was promoted to a cameo role in God’s Plan ‘A’. His resurrection from the dead, his dramatic appearance at the mouth of the tomb, still wrapped in burial cloths, was not ultimately about him. It was to ‘bring glory and praise to God’ and ‘reveal the greatness of the Son of God.’
Back to me again. (sorry). I know that God loves me and invites me to eternal life in His Kingdom – that my life and living might bring glory and praise to God! That’s the radical part of the plan we call Redemption. God intervenes sovereignly, in perfect justice and timing, for His name’s sake alone. So, healings and time crunch rescues and divine library responses and awaiting parking spots are all doled out from His generous heart, His love, His mercy, His provision, that I(we) might respond by glorifying and praising Him. Likewise, when His answer, sovereign and perfectly just and exquisitely timed, is ‘No.’ – for His glory and praise and our Kingdom education. What a Mighty God was serve! PD
