Raised from the Dead

" Martha heard that Jesus was coming and went to meet him. Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died. I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.'" John 11:20-23

There are times in our lives when it is hard to hear positive reassurance. It is hard to take when people say uplifting things and remind one to be faithful, especially when the pain and prognosis are bad, and particularly when the advice giver is is vibrant health. All the evidence points another way - to end and destruction. I think it hard in this economy when people say to the unemployed, "Don't give up hope", particularly after someone has been looking for months and months. At the same time we are Easter people. There is life and healing and hope. Resurrection is coming. And yet that is hard to hear when lose and pain overwhelm us.

Jesus speaks to his dear friend Martha, and then he calls Lazarus forth. There are tears and there is that gut wrenching smell. There is life, even among the dead. Martha was faithful and trusting even when all the evidence was against her brother's healing. God asks us too, to be faithful, even when the evidence seems point to evil and destruction.

I want to be willing today, to bear the pain of living that comes with awaiting resurrection. We are called to live in the light even when the darkness is overshadowing us. I want to walk in the light even on this gloomy day. May we remember that God doesn't ask us for platitudes, but faith. Faith that, despite all the evidence to the contrary, God is good all the time. God is acting for the life of the world, and God is working so that we might thrive. May we all walk in the light today.