“‘But, it has already been four days,’ Mary said to Jesus.
“And Jesus replied, ‘Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?’
“So, when they heard this, they took away the stone.”
John 11:39-41
Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:
- This passage continues the story by the Gospel Writer called John about the raising of Lazarus. To fully appreciate how it applies to our lives, read it from a mystical, metaphysical perspective, rather than a literal one.
- Jesus, who represents our Christ consciousness (our anointed, most spiritually mature self), knows with all his heart: All things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26).
- To understand how we experience God’s glory, we must be willing to distinguish between our way and God’s way.
- In this portion of the story, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary are those who have yet to align themselves with God and follow divine guidance. Rather than placing their faith in God, they have placed it momentarily in the appearance of death.
- Our faith is boundless, and each of us has all the faith we’ll ever need. So, investing our faith in God always works better than investing it in facts, our intellect, or our five senses alone.
- As many mental health professionals remind us: Our thoughts and feelings can be swayed by underlying fears. And, whatever our thinking, that’s where we’re directing our faith. So, rather than focus on the worst, we’re encouraged to expect and pray for the best.
- With faith in God, we do not force our will onto a situation. Even as we focus on demonstrating new experiences or manifesting additional opportunities, we must remember that we cannot manipulate God into “doing” something for us. Rather, we have faith in our ability to follow divine guidance, just as Jesus does.
- As Former Directors of Unity Prayer Ministry Mary-Alice and Richard Jafolla teach in The Lazarus Blueprint: Ancient Secrets for Healing and Inner Peace, When Jesus asks, “Didn’t I tell you?”, that is our intuition and inner wisdom “directing and guiding” us. Trust and expect that still, small voice to gently lead toward the best solution (p. 86).
Contemplation Questions:
As you reflect on your life and circumstances, ask yourself:
- What do my five (5) physical senses tell me about my situation?
- Without analysis or judgment, like a brain dump, list, word map, or illustrate whatever your senses reveal.
- When I consider what my five (5) senses reveal, what is based on fears, worries, or other negatives?
- X out all the negative beliefs.
- Next, create a new list, word map, or illustration of whatever positives remain.
- Then, especially if you can’t find any positives, ask yourself: What do my inner senses (faith, intuition, wisdom) reveal about the situation?
- List, word map, or illustrate your new revelations.
- Where and/or in what have I been placing my faith?
- List, word map, or illustrate whatever applies.
- Then, contemplate which are based on your own intuition and divine guidance, and which are based on facts and intellect only.
- What are at least three (3) things I can do to fully place my faith in God and follow my divine guidance?
- List, word map, or illustrate as much as you can imagine.
- What is the best that can occur with my situation?
- Gently close your eyes and breathe deeply, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Rather than forcing a visualization, allow your imagination to reveal itself to you, even if it takes several days.
- Then, list, word map, or illustrate all your revelations.
Remember that our faith extends only as far as our level of consciousness – our mindset about ourselves and our situation. So, as you direct your faith toward the best that can happen, push the boundaries of your personal thought and feelings. Encourage yourself to think positively and believe in the best. Then trust that God’s grace, goodness, and glory are being revealed for you and through you.
© 2022 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.
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