If Only…

John 11:21  Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.

It is easy for us to live in the past. We remember our good times, or hold on to old slights and hurts.

It is easy for us to live in the future and dream of a day to come when we will finally live the life we want.

Living today is much more difficult. I can have faith for yesterday, and have faith for tomorrow, but do I have enough faith for today?

In John 11 Jesus’ friend Lazarus has died. Jesus goes back to Bethany and is encountered by Martha, the sister of Lazarus. When Jesus arrived at the tomb, Lazarus had been in the grave for four days. Lazarus' sister, Martha, came to Jesus, and spoke that classic phrase used by people who live in the past: "If Only" She said, "Jesus, if only you had been here my brother would not have died."

Jesus reassures her that Lazarus will live again. Martha started thinking of the future, “I know he will rise in the final resurrection…”

Martha is talking about the past and the future, but Jesus is talking about now!

We don’t have to wait to experience God’s love or His grace. It is available for us today. Many people get stuck in the sins they have committed, thinking their day of grace is past. Or they look forward to some day where they will deserve God’s grace.

The day of God’s grace is today! Don’t wallow in the past, or pine for the future, experience all that God has for you today!

Today’s Readings:  Jeremiah 3,4; John  11

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