Mark 5:21-43
Has God ever given you a vision, calling, or dream that seems a bit humorous or impossible to achieve? Where you find yourself or others asking "why bother?" I remember when I felt God pressing my heart to go back to school while I was working. I thought to myself "why bother going to school when I already have a decent job with great benefits? Plus, I haven't been to school in years, I am going to be the oldest one in the class." Then I think back on when I was a kid, and a family member asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. When I timidly told them a youth parole officer, I still remember the look they gave me as they said "why bother, you know you have to be of strong character for that right?" Mark 5:21-43 is the story of Jesus raising a dead girl and heals a sick woman. I know you're probably thinking what does Jesus raising the dead and healing the sick have to do with a humorous calling or impossible vision God has given me. But most of the times we believe the vision, calling or dream God placed in our life had been killed off because of our age, qualification, or past. Jarius was a leader who fell at the feet of Jesus and "pleaded earnestly" for him to lay his hands and heal his daughter who is dying (v22-23). As Jesus went with Jarius, large crowds followed. As he is on his way to heal Jarius' daughter, he heals a woman and starts talking to her. While this is going on people from Jarious house came to him saying "your daughter is dead, why bother the teacher anymore?" (v35) How many times have we seen God move, touch, and speak to others while we are still waiting for God to bring to life what HE had spoken. And in those moments our thoughts and the comments of those closest to us begin to creep in, "why bother?" You see, everyone around you already launching into their careers, ministry, relationship, meanwhile you or those around you begin to question "why bother going back to school, you're too old." "why bother open a business, it's too late". "Why bother serve, you have nothing to give" "why bother pursuing someone? You have baggage" But in those moments you have to silence those thoughts and people. Jesus overheard these people telling Jarius these things and told him "Don't be afraid; just believe." I believe that is what God is telling you, don't be afraid to go back to school, don't be afraid to start the business, don't be afraid to serve, just believe.
When Jesus arrives at Jarius' house, he sees people crying and told them "why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep". But they laughed at him (v39-40). Many times we have a pity party or feel others have pity on us because the calling that is in our life seems as if it's dead. And when God confirms once again what he has for us, we find it humorous and feel "yeah ok". But what is interesting about this passage is that after they laughed at Jesus, he kicked them out the house (v40). Who do you need to kick out your house? Is it your own thought? The comments of a loved one saying "why bother?" It wasn't until once everyone but the ones who needed to be there were out, when Jesus took the girl by the hand and spoke. And immediately the girl stood up and began to walk. Then Jesus tells those who were there to give her something to eat. Once we remove people, thoughts and habits that have us question why bother, we will allow God to touch and speak into the situation. That's when we begin to talk in the calling, vision and dream He placed in our hearts. But it does not end there, we need to feed what we once thought was dead.
Prayer
God, thank you for always being on time, even when everything around us says otherwise. Thank you for your resurrection power that gives life. I repent of my doubt and on focusing on the wrong question of what if rather than trusting you on what's next. Help me and guide me to live out your perfect will instead of hiding in my fears. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Worship song