John 11:7-10, Return to Judea

7 Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." 8 The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?" 9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." 

Years ago, I felt called by God to leave the architecture profession and go into full-time ministry, which started with going to seminary. But there was a process I had to navigate, including working out this life change with my wife. From the time I first announced a sense of calling to her to the time I stepped onto the plan to fly to England from Texas was four years. In my thinking it was a four-year delay. In God’s time, everything was perfect. Years later I could see it was his perfect timing indeed. 

After the appropriate delay—remember, God created time and is never late by his divine standards—Jesus announces the plans to return to Judea. His disciples rightly remind him of the dangers he will face there. But Jesus is unafraid and undeterred. After all, he is the light of the world, and the darkness will not overshadow the light. There is darkness that wants to destroy him, but Jesus will not stumble and nor will his disciples when they follow his light and his lead. His timing is established to encounter Lazarus dead and in the grave. 

Consider a time of divine delay in your life? Looking back, what was God doing when he seemed to you not to be doing anything? Spend time in prayer thanking God for his never-fading presence.