I read in one commentary about this passage that Jesus does not do the easy thing of keeping Lazarus from dying. Instead, he does the hard work of bringing life from death. This is an interesting point to consider when we ask why God allows terrible things to happen. If only good happened in our lives and in our world, maybe it would be harder to see the power of God’s healing, restoration, and love.
If God prevented every painful interaction, every consequence of human sin and brokenness, and every failure, we would not fully comprehend the miracle of survival, the strength that God gives, and the blessed peace that comes when we find ourselves on the other side of that valley, bathed in the forgiveness, compassion, and mercy that is offered to all of God’s beloved.
Consider a source of pain, anxiety, or sadness that you are facing today. What might it take for you to come out on the other side? What might the other side look like?
In prayer, invite God to walk down into the valley with you and to bring you through what might feel like death into the fullness of life.