Dead-Ends to Doorways // John 11:4

There is a biblical concept that has been rattling around my spirit for the last couple weeks. How often do we see a dead-end when God sees a doorway? Moses and the Israelites saw a dead-end at the coast of the Red Sea. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego saw a potential dead-end at the fiery furnace. Jesus’ disciples saw what they believed to be a dead-end when the stone was rolled in front of His borrowed tomb.

Today’s verse comes from the account of the death and resurrection of Jesus’ friend, Lazarus. Lazarus’ loved ones sent word to the Lord that he was ill and asked Him to come and Him. Jesus didn’t, at least not at first; in fact, He said that Lazarus’ sickness would not result in death. It must have come as quite a shock when Lazarus succumbed to his illness, died, and was buried.

We see that Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, were distraught when Jesus did arrive. They met Him with what I could consider righteousness indignation. Both said separately that their brother would not have died had Jesus been there. They even had word from Christ that their brother’s sickness would not end in death, yet there they were, gathering grief stricken at a grave. A dead-end.

No, a doorway.

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead to prove that it could be done in God’s power. That doorway cracked when Jesus told those gathered to move the stone that sealed the tomb. It was shoved way open when Jesus said to remove the graveclothes. Barriers removed. A new path revealed. God’s path.

How often do we experience perceived dead-ends in life that are actually God’s doorways? How might God be leading you in faith to cross that threshold? It seems to me that all too often we must be at the end of our proverbial rope to be open to the miraculous. That’s where God’s miracle-working power thrives…where there can be no other explanation for the movement than the transformation of a dead-end to a doorway.

So, if you find yourself grieving a dead-end, look for the light sneaking through the tiniest crack. Yes, it might be different on the other side; in fact, it probably is. But trust God. After all, He specializes in transforming dead-ends into doorways.