By all outward appearances our “sleeping” grapevines look dead which is why visitors ask if we have to pull them out and replant for next year’s crop. God built in a resting mechanism by which the vines rejuvenate for the following year, much like a hibernating animal. The vines are not dead, they are sleeping. As the winter rains soak into the ground we know that the salts are leaching out of the soil which means that the roots won’t have to struggle like they do in draught conditions to absorb water. We know that life continues to flow in the vine; we just cannot see the life like we can during the “growing season.”

Jairus pleaded with Jesus to heal his 12 year old daughter, so Jesus began making his way to Jairus’ house but “While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.” ⁵⁰ But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” ⁵¹ When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. ⁵² Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” ⁵³ And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴ But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” ⁵⁵ Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately.” Luke 8:49-54

By all outward appearances Jairus’ daughter was “dead” so the visitors and family mourned. The ruler of the synagogue freed Jesus up for more healing work by bringing the news – he said, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.” Luke records, “When Jesus heard “it” he responded: “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” IT! was the truth by all outward appearances; IT! weighed the hearts of the people down; IT! was a lie in the presence of the creator and sustainer of life. Jesus declared his word in the face of IT!: “Do not be afraid; only believe!”

We dabble with faith in Christ when we cry out to him in desperate circumstances, but then declare, “this is a dead end, there is no hope.” Do we ridicule Christ when he says, “these circumstances are not what you perceive them to be. I am the Christ!”? Do we laugh at Christ’s word and work instead of at Satan’s lies? Do we call Christ’s word a lie (perhaps not outwardly with our lips, but inwardly in our hearts) when he declares us loveable, holy, righteous and his dwelling place?

Jesus NEWK-ed death and impossible circumstances in his very life. He calls us to allow his word to help us identify and NEWK-IT! Without his word we get IT! really wrong and we name the wrong thing bad. We call a lie the truth and the truth a lie. Death or dead end circumstances, where we perceive there is no hope, is the beginning of Christ’s miraculous work to wake us up to his presence. He has been working in our heart, soul and life. He says, “finally you are naming this impossible.” He says to us, “Arise! I do my best work in you when you declare your circumstances, ‘impossible.’”

May God grant us courage to see the big picture and trust his work in us. May God grant us boldness to allow him to work through our circumstances and declare that we hope and trust in him. May the peace of Christ dwell in our hearts. Blessings IN Christ, Cindy

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