Going Further…

Going Further…

Jn. 11; Matt.19:26

 

Sometimes ‘going further’ entails taking a few steps back at first. Perhaps progressing in the Lord feels more like standing still…pausing…to learn key factors well before moving any further. It is very likely we perceive different outcomes than God does…we want something quite unlike God’s intentions. The current situation seems to dictate our existing posture and beliefs…. To be more protective, judicious, and cautious just feels right about here…it even makes good logical sense…right? By taking a step back, we sometimes realize we are guilty of wanting outcomes that are far too small when God is thinking much bigger, grander, and strategic. Further, our expectations may even be more focused on ourselves and not necessarily the broader plan of God. ‘Going further’ requires joining our Lord on this journey of faith.

This kind of thing happened repeatedly in the Bible (Gen. 6; Gen. 17:1-27; 21:1-8; 2Sam. 7), but it was especially punctuated in John 11 with the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. Often, we impose our limitations on God restricting Him to fit into our expectations, when God is not limited like that at all. Our need for Him and the opportunity to transcend normality are presented through life’s very real challenges (Jn. 11:1, 4, 14-15), but few believers seldom realize the chance to trust Him and surpass the restrictions imposed by society or our own understanding. It is true death, the grave, and the stench of death (Jn. 11:39-40) are very real limitations we cannot overcome no matter how sincere we are. It is also true that we allow ourselves to ‘think’ within the confines of those limits and we don’t even consider possibilities beyond them…. We err when we impose those same limits onto God only expecting or even requiring Him to operate within our ‘level’ of comprehension (Jn. 11:24). He is NOT obligated to function that way, and further He really knows what He is doing with each occasion. He has a strategic plan in mind (Jn. 11:4, 40)!

It is precisely at this juncture we feel acutely the frustrations…not realizing God is itching to introduce an opportunity that is mind-blowing and life changing! Such an occasion summons us to trust the Lord in this matter. Jesus requires ‘faith’—believing Him to realize the greater realities!  For instance, Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: ²⁶ And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? ²⁷ She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. (John 11:25-27). He declares Himself as the source of eternal life and tests Martha’s faith. He assures her that He has absolute power over physical and spiritual death. He guarantees eternal life to whoever believes in Him, prompting Martha to confidently confess her ‘faith’ in Him as God’s Messiah. Trust is always appropriate when interacting with the Lord.

But what tends to interfere with such simple faith? Sometimes we are so consumed with the past… ‘what we perceived should have been’ (Jn. 11:21-22, 32, 40), we haven’t even begun entertaining future possibilities yet. There are times all we can see is the gigantic problems…dwarfing others…sometimes more significant…legitimate factors. Perhaps we are even convinced we know what needs to happen. The solution is so obvious to us that we gently suggest ‘our’ remedies. Certainly, we would have been happy with a simple ‘healing’, but God wants a ‘resurrection!’ Often working together with the Lord is ‘imagined’ a certain way…with ‘our ideal’ outcomes given the details we observed…. We may even envision the local impact of a ‘resurrection’ miracle but not yet perceive the farther-reaching shock waves of such a witness for future disciples (Jn. 11:41-42, 45, 51-52). We may influence a ‘healing’ through our prayers, but only God can work His divine plan for our future which may involve another miracle or two. The first instance may court our pride, but the second option clearly illuminates the ‘grace’ of God! We are invited to join Him on this journey of faith; we dare not embark upon it alone!

“With God all things are possible” Jesus insists in Matthew 19:26, referring to the fact that God is unlimited, unrestricted, boundless…His great power transcends all the boundaries that we in our limitations must respect. Child of God, we have assurance…yes, even a guarantee that absolutely no obstacle is too great for God and that He may still intervene in seemingly impossible situations. God’s infinite ability and authority are not bound by natural, human, or earthly restrictions. Again, in Matthew 19:26, Jesus unmistakably says, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” So whatever God calls us to do, He will empower and equip us to accomplish it. Trust Him for such power, whether it’s spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or mental (2Cor. 12:1-10). Away with our restrictive inhibitions, fears, anxieties, vision for the future, expectations, requirements, and experiences. God is inviting each one of us to go further…so much further with Him by faith in His designs. Beloved, let us align ourselves with His holy character, divine purposes, and eternal plans, rather than merely granting our personal whims, notions, or schemes. 

You and I must trust Him to do the impossible…He abides by no such limitations like us. Prepare yourself for different, astonishing, unanticipated, growth, life investment, adjustments, misunderstanding, and yes even rejection—unfortunately most people will not get it. Learn to be ‘flexible’ as you enter the yoke with God! Be willing to accommodate Him and His designs. You will be glad you did! We must stop thinking too small…too logical…too selfish…too historic; start living by ‘faith’ in God’s limitless power and strategic design—pursuing His glory. Please join the ‘club’ if you feel challenged or intimidated by all of this. I honestly confess I am scared to death, but I must trust Him even when I cannot track Him! Beloved, illegitimate fears tend to limit us…especially our faith. We will experience far less real confusion and continue to ‘go further’ when we ‘believe’ God.