The lesson of Jairus

“A man named Jairus came to him. He was a leader of the synagogue. He had only one daughter. She was twelve years old, and she was dying. So Jairus bowed down at the feet of Jesus and begged him to come to his house. While Jesus was going to Jairus’ house, the people crowded all around him”— Luke 8:41-42 (ERV).

If your child were dying, wouldn’t you be in a hurry to seek medical attention? I know I would. In this case, Jairus, a synagogue leader, knew who could heal his dying daughter. Jesus.

This church leader sought out The Great Healer, knowing Jesus had healed others. Jairus had either heard or experienced in person the healings the Son of Man had performed. Either way, I’m sure this father was in a hurry to have Jesus save his daughter before she died.

Along the route to Jairus’ house, Jesus was surrounded by crowds, making it difficult for Him to move quickly. Then, Jesus was stopped by a courageous and desperate woman who also needed His healing touch. So, He stopped to heal her.

Delayed, but Not Deterred

However, the story doesn’t end there. Scripture tells us that by the time Jesus arrived at Jairus’ house, the daughter had passed. I’m sure the father was beside himself with grief.

But, we know the rest of the story. Jesus raised her to life. In verses 54-55, we read, “Then He took her by the hand and called, ‘Get up, little girl!’ And at that moment her life returned and she jumped up!”

What an encouragement! More than one miracle healing occurred that day because Jesus didn’t hurry.

Why Are We Always in a Hurry?

In Lewis Carroll’s famous 1865 tale, “Alice in Wonderland,” the White Rabbit uttered the following as he rushed around madly, checking his pocket watch before he disappeared down a mysterious hole in the ground: “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.”

While this is a grammatically questionable quote, it speaks volumes for today’s society. In the twenty-first century, we wear our badge of “busyness” as an honor, which means we’re always in a hurry.

In our rush to get somewhere, we miss the miracles of life. We fail to enjoy the journey.

Rush and Miss Opportunities

What do we miss when we rush through life? We miss opportunities to connect with others, even strangers, and an opportunity to share the love of Jesus.

When I stepped outside to walk my dog through our neighborhood yesterday, I noticed a young man preparing to climb a tall metal ladder leaning against an electric pole. Because he was without a helper, I was concerned. Striking up a conversation with him, I expressed my concern for his safety.

“I’m not afraid of heights, he said, “but you can pray for my safety. I have two young daughters at home.”  Replying, I said, “I can do that while I’m walking my dog.”

To Enjoy the Journey, Don’t Hurry

Do you know how much that encounter brightened my day? This young man obviously knew Jesus and wasn’t afraid to ask for prayer. How often does a stranger ask for prayer?

As I walked through my neighborhood, my thoughts turned to Jesus. He never hurried. Since I am semi-retired, I’ve slowed down. And, I’m enjoying the journey more than ever.

Not only do I connect with strangers, I gather friendships like some might gather flowers in a field. In my neighborhood, those friendships consist of people, older than my 65 years. Most aren’t in a hurry. Like me, they’ve learned to enjoy what time they have left.

Don’t Miss the Blessings of a Miracle

Rushing through life, often with our nose stuck in a cell phone, we miss the blessings of a miracle. But miracles aren’t just found in the form of big events.

Noticing and appreciating God’s creation on our journey is a reminder of how tenuous life can be. As we watch the changing seasons, we remember life is a miracle, indeed.

Storms can wreak havoc on our surroundings. We can’t corral nature and its fury. But, we can enjoy the journey. We can find something to be thankful for each day, including the blessings surrounding us if we’ll just slow down. Don’t hurry through life. You’ll miss the miracles.

–Carol Round | carol@carolaround.com