When We Want More

(3 Minute Read)

By Heidi Schartner

I came across a verse that I’m sure I’ve read countless times before. For some reason though, it jumped off the page this time and its been mulling around in my head for weeks. In John 12 it says, “…So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.”

Really? They’d rather kill a miracle than recognize the power of Jesus? Both the chief priests and those choosing to follow Jesus saw the same resurrected Lazarus. He was in a tomb. He walked out of the tomb. Whether you saw that firsthand or not, there were countless people who did. They saw the miracle and they saw Jesus as the miracle-giver. There “were many” who believed. But those who knew the scriptures best did not believe. The chief priests overlooked the miracle to preserve the laws. Jesus didn’t fit the mold of who they thought would be King. 

The miracle wasn’t enough for them. They wanted more.

While I think I’d be a quick believer if I witnessed Lazarus coming out of that tomb, I also know that I too am guilty of wanting more. I want more volunteers. I want more kids in Sunday School. I want a rhythm that feels usual and steady.

But it’s not about what I want! I know this. I actually believe this, but my human nature just gets in the way. 

The challenge I’ve given myself is one I lay before you today: replace the want with thanks. It seems simple and almost silly to even say and yet it holds a lot of weight. When I find myself thinking I want more, I recite Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the Lord has made;
 We will rejoice and be glad in it.” It is a choice we all have to see Jesus as giving us exactly what we need each and every day. 

My prayer is that we choose Jesus and witness all the ways He meets our needs exactly as He sees fit. Because He is absolutely enough for us. In fact, He is far more than we could ever want.