Having Faith BEFORE the Miracle Happens

What do you do when God feels late?
 
In this Sunday's powerful Gospel on the raising of Lazarus, we are invited into one of the most honest, raw moments in Scripture—when Martha looks at Jesus and says what we’ve all felt at some point: “Lord, if you had been here…”
 
Ever been there? Watch this reflection that gets real about why it’s okay to bring your mess straight to God and how Jesus proves He has power over sin, suffering, and even death itself.
 
But here's my biggest takeaway: Martha's faith wasn't just at the beginning when she asked Jesus for help, or at the end when Lazarus walked out of that tomb. She believed right in the middle—before the miracle, before the answer, while she was still upset and heartbroken.
 
That's where most of us live. In the middle. And that's exactly where Jesus is asking: "Do you believe this?"
 
Come to him as you are. Give him your whole messy heart. And trust him right in the middle.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Martha told Jesus exactly how she felt — "Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn't have died." When have you felt like God showed up too late, and how did you express that to him? Is there something you need to bring to him honestly right now?

2. Chris talks about Martha having "faith in the middle" — believing before the miracle happened. Where in your life right now are you waiting in the middle, and what does it look like to trust God before you see the answer?

3. Chris shares how the words of absolution in confession felt almost too easy for the weight of what he was carrying — and then he looked at the cross. How does the reality of what Jesus did on the cross change the way you approach confession and God's mercy?

4. A religious sister told Chris that a message about loving yourself bothered her for five years before it transformed her life. Has there ever been a truth about your faith that initially stung or made you uncomfortable, but later became a turning point?

5. Chris says God is strong enough to take on all your messiness — that you don't need a "protocol" to come to him. What keeps you from bringing your real, unfiltered heart to God in prayer? What would it look like to drop the protocol this week?

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