There was a time in my life when it seemed I “fell asleep.” I wasn’t actually sleeping, but I felt an emptiness or brokenness of heart and soul. Such moments are when only God can fill us up or make us whole again. When we are at our lowest, God speaks life back into us.
There was a time in my life when I felt at my lowest, and it’s a redemption story of how God awakened me.
At my lowest, God awakened me
At the beginning of the year, I experienced a lot of back pain. The pain seemed to worsen as the days and weeks passed. I saw medical professionals, but I didn’t receive any clear answer.
In that moment of hopelessness, anxiety and pain, God whispered to me, “I will awaken you.”
I believe God loves to whisper things to us. Why? To show he is right next to us and always will be.
Soon, I found myself waiting thankfully on test results for my back. Even before, though, I felt something everywhere I walked that day. I felt the presence of Jesus! I felt him in the waiting room, in the doctor’s office, and even during my X-rays. I felt him everywhere I was!
How God comes down to meet us right where we are truly is miraculous! He meets us in our mess, in our weakest moments, and in our victories so he can celebrate with us.
After getting the results and starting therapy at home, I started to feel my heart and soul awaken. I no longer was bound to the worry because God showed me how he awakened me and my heart once again.
Seeing God take something so broken and make it whole again is such a beautiful thing!
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At Lazarus’ lowest, Jesus awakened him
Martha and Mary sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was sick. When Jesus received it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death,” and he stayed where he was for two more days (John 11:3-6).
Why was this? To allow the Father to work a miracle all would soon see.
Jesus knew the Father had plans for Lazarus’ death. After those two days, Jesus told his disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” When his disciples were confused, Jesus told them Lazarus had died. Then he said something interesting, “I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe” (John 11:11-15).
Jesus and his disciples traveled back to Jerusalem where Lazarus was. When he arrived, Jesus was told Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days.
Then Mary came to Jesus, fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32). Jesus saw her crying and asked where Lazarus was laid. They showed him, and when Jesus saw where his friend Lazarus was laid, Jesus wept (John 11:33-35).
While standing in front of the tomb, Jesus ordered the stone moved from the entrance. Then he looked to the Father and thanked him so all the people gathered could hear and believe.
Then Jesus said loudly, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43)
Jesus spoke to a dead man’s body and awakened him!
At your lowest, Jesus can awaken you
We see in this miracle what seems impossible. But God loves making the impossible possible for us!
Think back to a season in your life when you were broken. Maybe you are still in this season.
I want to share a word God spoke to me when I was in that season. Jesus’ words are so powerful, he can awaken you with just one word. That one word for me was “awaken.”
As simple as it may seem, there is so much power and love behind this word God speaks. He loves showing us nothing will ever get in the way of him loving us so audaciously.
Just like when Jesus told Lazarus to awaken, I promise he will awaken you.
Anna Shannon is a sophomore in high school and is homeschooled. She is an Acteen at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas.
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