March 10, 2009

Read John 4:43-54

Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,' Jesus told him, 'you will never believe.—John 4:48

John 4:43-54 tells the story of the royal official who asks Jesus to heal his son. The boy is close to death, and the official begs Jesus to come to his home and heal the boy. Jesus utters the lines quoted above and then tells the official that his son will live and that he can return home.

What is most shocking to me about this story isn't that Jesus heals the boy. It's the fact that the man takes Jesus at his word and goes home. In such a dire situation, could you have done that? I'm not sure I could have.

We pray for things all the time--for healing, for wisdom, for courage--but how often to do we wait patiently, believing that in time God will fulfill the promises he's made to us?

I know that I often expect miraculous answers to my prayers. I have a hard time letting things happen on God's time and terms. When big things don't happen, I get disheartened.

I think Jesus is right. I think that it's hard sometimes to believe in the promises of God without miraculous proof. If we look closely, though, those miraculous signs and wonders are all around us, and our prayers are being answered in small and unexpected ways. This story, and especially this passage, reminds me that I need to wait for God's answer on God's time.

Pray: Dear God:Thank you for all of the unexpected ways you answer our prayers. Remind us that you are at work in our lives, even when the answers to our prayers aren't big or life changing. Grant us the patience to experience your works in your time and in your way.
Amen.

Erin Leach is a wife, librarian, and amateur crafter. She enjoys naps, jogging on the treadmill while watching bad reality television, and taking part in The Gathering's small group ministry