Change

Calum and I used to watch a programme on the television, called 24hrs in A&E. It documented the story of around 4 people, and their 24 hr experience, in A&E. Some would be in for minor ailments that didn’t actually warrant A&E treatment. Others, however, would be really serious emergencies, that required immediate help and care from the emergency department. I think the medical side in both of us, liked to see the amazing things that the staff did in those circumstances, and the immense pressure, and change they often found themselves in, over the 24hr period. At the end of the episode, the programme would reveal, that often times these emergency cases, left the patients changed, for the rest of their life.

The other weekend, Calum and I had our own experience, of what difference 24hrs can bring.

On Saturday morning, I was awakened by Calum, informing me that our main cold water pipe into the house had frozen up again. Thankfully, this time we were prepared (it had happened the previous week too). We had buckets sitting handy to flush the toilets. We had also borrowed the big electrical urn from our church, and it was filled with clean water to boil, for us for our essential use (like coffee!!).

However, being prepared this time, didn’t really lessen the annoyance for Calum. He doesn't like it when things aren’t working, even if it’s all out with his control. I on the other hand, quite liked the frosty cold spell, even if that meant the inconvenience of no water at times.

Much to the frustration of the children, it was back to flushing toilets with buckets of water from the river. Calum, had to make the necessary trips down the garden, to collect the essential water, to bring back to the house. I don’t know about anyone else's house, but with so many of us in this one, first thing in the morning when everyone is just up, the toilets are really busy! 🙈

As Calum walked back up the garden, I captured a picture of him, and I’m sure many of you would have seen that photograph on facebook. 😁

in the afternoon, we went out for a walk, hoping that when we returned home, the pipe would have thawed out, and we would all be able to get nice, hot showers. The weather was supposed to thaw out that evening, but because it was so cold, it was very hard to imagine.

Sure enough, when we returned, the water was working again. After a freezing cold walk, we were all so thankful for hot water, and no more trips, down to the river, were needed!

The following morning, when I looked out the same window, where I had taken the picture of Calum the previous day, the difference was like night and day. You would never have believed, that 24hrs previous, there had been snow lying and the temperature had been well below 0°!

There was no longer ice along the river, or a beautiful white powder sitting on top of all the trees and bushes. The crunchy snow, had melted away and everything looked so green! The river was really brown, as it was flowing much higher and faster again.

Same window, 24hrs apart

Since, taking the second photograph, I've been thinking about the change 24hrs can make. Before christmas I shared a blog about the time Josiah was in hospital. As his health deteriorated at the start, the difference in 24hrs was very evident. As he started to recover, there was only a slight,noticeable change in 24hrs.

I'm sure many have experiences and situations, where over the period of 24hrs, they are amazed at the changes that it brings. Sometimes, these changes are good and welcomed. Other times, they are devastating and tragic, leaving a lasting impact.

Over the course of this week, I've been thinking about the story in John ch 11, about a man called Lazarus, being raised from the dead.

Two sisters, that Jesus was very fond of, sent word to Jesus that they needed his help, as their brother Lazarus was very sick. Days later, when Jesus arrived at their home town, the sisters told Jesus that their brother had died. They were frustrated at Jesus, because they knew if he had come immediately, then their brother would not have died. Jesus reassured them all would be well, and though they couldn't understand his delay, it had purpose.

After they rolled the stone away, that covered the grave of Lazarus, Jesus commanded him to come out. The bible says;

"And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in grave clothes, his face wrapped in a head cloth. Jesus told them, 'Unwrap him and let him go!"

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead! 24hrs previous, his family and friends had been mourning the loss of Lazarus. They knew, and experienced the pain that death brings. They questioned in their heart, 'where was Jesus, we've sent for him?' The bible doesn't say, but I'm sure they doubted his care, and compassion for them.

However, 24hrs later, Jesus arrives on the scene, and here the shortest verse in the bible is recorded, as it says "Jesus wept". He displays his care and compassion, as he showed how he felt, the weight of their loss. The story didn't finish there, as Jesus miraculously brought Lazarus back to life.

In 24hrs, they experienced death to life, darkness to light! They had gone from a completely hopeless situation, to a radical transformation, beyond anything they could ever have had imagined.

What caused this amazing change? They had an encounter with Jesus.

An encounter with Jesus always makes the difference. The New Testament, in the bible, is full of stories about people that Jesus came into contact with, and left changed for the better. They brought to him their problems, their health issues, their questions, their sin, and they left completely transformed.

Whatever problems you experience, you can bring them to Jesus, because he does care.

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

As I've written this blog, I've realised how often I am like Lazarus's two sisters, Mary and Martha. How often I get frustrated, when I've prayed and asked God for help, and for him to answer my prayers, yet there seems to be a delay. It's easy to be tempted to allow doubts and fears to fill my mind, that he doesn't care and isn't listening. I seem to want my transforming 24hr experience now. I don't want to wait days, weeks or even a lifetime.

Like these two sisters realised, Jesus doesn't always answer when called, the way we expect him to. However, because he does care, so much for us, we can trust him, that he knows what is best for us, and although we might not know, there will always be a purpose for it.