Soul Path Insights

Have you ever faced a situation so heartbreaking that you felt utterly abandoned, even by God? Moments when you’ve cried out for help, but it seemed like Heaven was silent? You’re not alone. Sometimes, in our deepest sorrows, we feel like God has forgotten us or is too busy to notice. But what if I told you that these moments of perceived silence could be the backdrop for the most profound displays of His love and miraculous power?

In the Gospel of John, we encounter one of the most poignant moments of Jesus’ ministry—His reaction to the death of Lazarus, His dear friend. John 11:35 (NIV) simply states, “Jesus wept.” These two words reveal a depth of empathy that is both comforting and transformative. Jesus, fully God and fully human, wasn’t weeping out of helplessness; He was weeping out of love, sharing in the deep pain of those He cared for. His tears, however, were not the end of the story. His endless love and compassion led to an unfathomable miracle: He raised Lazarus from the dead.

When God Feels Far Away

Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, had sent word to Jesus that their brother was gravely ill. They believed that if Jesus came quickly, He could heal Lazarus. But Jesus delayed His arrival, and Lazarus died. When Jesus finally arrived, Martha’s disappointment was palpable. She said, “If You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21 NIV). Her words, filled with hurt and confusion, resonate with anyone who has ever felt like God didn’t show up on time. She essentially asked, “How could You do this to us? We are Your friends. When we needed You the most, You let us down.”

I’ve been in Martha’s shoes, feeling like God didn’t come through when I needed Him most. I remember a time when I was struggling to find stable footing after a major life transition. I had prayed earnestly for clarity and direction, but doors seemed to close in every direction I turned. I questioned God’s timing, His plans, and, quite honestly, His love for me. I wondered, “God, do You even see me down here struggling?” But just like in Martha’s story, God had something beyond my understanding. His plans were not to meet my expectations but to exceed them.

The Empathy of a Savior

The Scripture says, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35 NIV). He wasn’t just weeping for Lazarus; He was weeping because He felt the sorrow and loss that Mary, Martha, and all those around were feeling. It was a moment that underscored His deep empathy for the human experience. Even though Jesus knew that a miracle was coming—He would soon raise Lazarus from the dead—He was still moved by their pain. He felt it as deeply as they did.

There was a time when I experienced a similar touch of empathy from God. After my mother passed away, I was enveloped in a heavy fog of grief. I kept asking, “Why didn’t You intervene, God? Why didn’t You give us more time together?” My prayers felt like they were bouncing off the walls, and I felt more alone than ever. But slowly, through small, quiet moments, God began to show me His presence. It wasn’t always in the dramatic answer I was hoping for; it was in the comforting embrace of a friend, in the unexpected act of kindness from a stranger, or in a moment of peace that settled over me like a blanket. It was His way of weeping with me, of feeling my sorrow, and of reminding me that I was not alone.

Miracles Beyond Understanding

When Jesus finally approached Lazarus’s tomb, many questioned why He hadn’t arrived sooner. They thought, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept his friend from dying?” (John 11:37 NIV). But Jesus had a different plan. He asked for the stone to be rolled away and, with a commanding voice, called Lazarus out from the grave. Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, walked out alive. It was an unfathomable miracle that went far beyond mere healing; it was a demonstration of Jesus’ authority over life and death, of His deep compassion that leads to action.

There are moments in our lives when we feel buried under the weight of our circumstances, as if hope itself has died and been entombed. I’ve been there too, wrestling with doubt, heartbreak, and unanswered prayers. But these are the very moments when God’s love and compassion can shine the brightest. It may not always look like the miracle we expect, but His presence and empathy are miracles in themselves. Sometimes, it’s not about preventing the pain but about using it to show us a deeper, more profound love—a love that brings dead things back to life.

A Prayer for Trust in His Love and Miracles

Father, thank You that I never have to wonder about Your unconditional love for me because You have proven it by making me Your child. Thank You that You weep when I weep and are always for me. I declare that I am going to live securely, knowing that You love me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Self-Assessment Questions:

1. When has God’s timing felt too late in your life, and how did you respond?
   Reflect on a time when you felt like God didn’t show up when you needed Him. Did you react with disappointment or trust? How might the story of Lazarus encourage you to see His timing in a new light?
2. How can you recognize God’s empathy and love in your current struggles?
   Think about a challenge you’re facing now. Are there small ways God is showing His compassion and presence, even if the miracle hasn’t come yet? How can you open your heart to see these signs of His love?

Final Thoughts:

God’s love and compassion often come in ways we don’t expect. When we feel like He’s delayed or silent, He may be preparing a miracle that goes beyond our understanding. Trust in His endless love, for it is in these moments of waiting and weeping that we often encounter His presence most profoundly. Just as He wept with Mary and Martha, He weeps with us. And just as He called Lazarus out of the grave, He can call us out of whatever feels dead and hopeless in our lives. Hold on to His love, and expect the miraculous.

© 2025 Amelie Chambord