Ponderings From a Feverish Head

Spending a few days sick in bed has an amazing way of changing your perspective. I have always been blessed with good health, and have been physically able to care for my family for almost 20 years now with no limitations. The few times over the years that I have been sick makes me remember what a great blessing it is to do the simplest things like walking around, having a clear head to think and make little decisions, and having stable body temperature. It has been good to be reminded of these things this week as I lost the fight against that nasty virus that has been going around.

Sickness also reminds me that we are completely dependent on the Lord, and shouldn't presume upon Him for any future plans. As it says in James, we must say "Lord willing" about the things we make plans to do, since we never know what a new day might bring. Catching this virus made us miss our spring break trip to my sister's house, which made for many opportunities to talk with our children about God's wise and loving sovereignty over the events of all of our days.

Interesting timing...I have been reading in John 11 this week about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. What an encouraging, yet convicting and challenging thought that Jesus was in control of the timing of Lazurus sickness, death, and resurrection. Imagine the anguish of the sisters as Lazarus grew worse and worse. A message had been sent to Jesus about his condition, and they waited, hoping the Lord would come. But think about how hopeless they must have felt once Lazarus died. What is more final than death? If they had known that Jesus delayed two days longer after he got the message, I can imagine that they would have even become angry!

But when Jesus did finally arrive, He showed that He is Lord over time, sickness, death, and our lack of faith in Him! He had a reason for all of it, namely "so that the Son of God may be glorified by it" (11:4)! His words to Martha are life changing, and are for us to ponder and embrace in every big trial and little irritation,

"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"