Saturday, November 7, 2015

STAYING PUT



John 20:10, 11a
“Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.  Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying.”

Don’t you just want to say to those retreating disciples, “No!  Don’t go!  You’re going to miss the best part!”  Who knows why they didn’t stick around; maybe they were so grief-stricken over the crucifixion of their Friend and Messiah that they just needed to get away.  Maybe they were hungry and went to find something to eat.  Maybe they were confused.  The Scripture says in verse 9 “they still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.”  So I can see that maybe they just needed to get away and mull things over.  But if only they’d stayed!  They would have had their doubts and fears put to rest much sooner.  They would have seen their Messiah, risen as He said He would.

Sometimes I need to stay.  Sometimes God has me in a confusing place; I really don’t know which way to turn, which decision is best, who to listen to.  Times like that just make me want to “go back” to where I feel in control, to where I’m not called upon to make decisions that may disappoint or anger some; back to familiar ground! 

But God calls me to stay where I am and wait for His arrival.  He asks me to continue doing what I’m called to do and rely on His wisdom, strength, and grace in every circumstance.  He asks me to continue in His Word, standing on His promises.  He asks me to be like Mary, staying, waiting for His answer, not moving from where she was, until she saw Him.  I want to be like that.

Father, here I am.  Help me to wait this out until You, and only You
Provide the answers I need.  Amen.

No comments:

Post a Comment