No need for a genie
by Colleen Fitzpatrick
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But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask (John 11:22).
Read John 11:1–27
Remember the fairy stories and legends in which an opportunity was given to ask for anything, and the wish would be granted? Sometimes the asker would get more than they bargained for, and salutary lessons needed to be learned. One of the best-known of these stories is the tale of Aladdin and his magic lantern. Rubbing the magic lantern caused a genie to appear, and the genie would grant three wishes.
Accessing God and his promises does not need a magic lantern or a genie. God is always there for us, no matter what is happening around us.
In today’s reading, we once again meet Martha and Mary. They have sent word to Jesus that their brother is ill. We know that Jesus loved this family, but we don’t know whether they thought that Jesus would heal Lazarus or whether they thought that Jesus might want to say a last goodbye to him.
Maybe you have experienced that time after the death of someone close to you when people come to pay their last respects and offer comfort. So it was with Mary and Martha. They had a full house. However, when Martha hears that Jesus is on his way, she runs out to meet him and states her belief that Jesus is the Messiah and that God will give Jesus whatever he asks for.
May Martha’s faith be an example and inspiration to you. When things aren’t going well, our God is still there, watching over us, caring for us, and waiting for us to come with our requests and hopes. The burden may not magically disappear, but the way forward will be eased, and we can be prepared for some surprises on the way.
The idea of a yoke to share a load – such as pioneering women carrying produce from Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills into town or when animals were yoked together to allow heavier work to be undertaken – is less familiar these days. The promise of Matthew 11:28–30 holds good despite the old-fashioned reference: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’
It provides comfort when there is no magic lantern or genie to grant us our wishes!
Comforting God, thank you that you are always there for us and that you promise to give us rest. Help us hand our problems over to you in confidence, knowing that you hear and answer every single one of our prayers. Amen.
Colleen Fitzpatrick is a mother of two, grandmother of three and godmother of four. She is allegedly retired and lives in Adelaide. Colleen trained as a social worker, and after working in the foster care program at Lutheran Community Care in South Australia, she became the director and served in that role for 13 years. Colleen serves on a number of boards and committees within the LCA and the wider community.
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