Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s great to be here with you today.
Today is September 22.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.
Let’s begin.

Slow Down

You are stepping into a sacred space with the intent of meeting Jesus.
He wants to meet with you and spend time with you.
Take this moment to slow down, quiet your mind, and prepare your heart to connect with Him.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it
As you inhale, whisper: “Jesus, sometimes you wait.”
As you exhale, pray: “So I can see Your glory.”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read

A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days.
(John 11:1–6, NLT)

Notice

What stands out to you in this passage?
Is there a word or phrase that catches your attention?
Hold it in your heart for a moment.

Reread

Hear this passage again and notice what Jesus says to you.

Meditate

John 11:1–6 introduces one of Scripture's most profound paradoxes: Jesus loves Lazarus deeply, yet deliberately delays his rescue.
Lazarus falls ill, and his sisters Mary and Martha send word to Jesus: "Lord, your dear friend is very sick." The message carries an implicit urgency. Surely Jesus will rush to heal his beloved friend. Surely love means immediate action.
Instead, Jesus does the opposite.
When Jesus hears the news, He declares: "Lazarus's sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this." Then, despite His love for the family, He stays two days longer in the place where He was.
Two days. While His friend is dying.
This delay allows Lazarus to die before Jesus arrives—a seemingly cruel postponement that contradicts the urgency of love. If Jesus loves them, why wait? Why not rush to heal? Why allow death when He could prevent it?
The passage reveals something stunning: Jesus operates according to a different timeline than human expectation. His love doesn't function as immediate rescue. It functions as orchestration toward a greater purpose.
Later, Jesus tells His disciples plainly: "Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe." The delay transforms a simple healing into a resurrection—a demonstration of power that transcends death itself.
Here's what should land: divine care doesn't always mean preventing suffering. Sometimes it means allowing suffering to reach its absolute limit so that only resurrection—not mere healing—can address it.
God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Jesus's delay wasn't abandonment. It was strategic love. It was allowing the situation to deteriorate so completely that only the impossible—only resurrection—could fix it.
The passage invites believers to trust that delays in divine response often signal not neglect but preparation for something greater than what we initially requested.
You asked for healing. Jesus is preparing resurrection. You asked for quick relief. Jesus is orchestrating glory. You asked for a fast answer. Jesus is waiting for the right moment—the moment when only His power will suffice.
Take a few moments to sit with these questions:
Where am I waiting for Jesus to answer? Where does His timing feel too slow?
What if His delay isn't neglect but preparation for something greater?
Where do I expect things to go faster than Jesus does??

Respond

Jesus, I trust that Your timing is for Your glory. I'm releasing my urgency. I'm releasing my need for a fast answer. Help me believe that You're preparing something greater. Help me wait. Help me see Your glory in the delay.

Exercise
The rush of life will meet you again when you leave this sacred place—but you can carry this moment into your day by forming new habits.
Habit: Wait and Watch
Today's habit is an act of patient trust.
Jesus waited two days. Not because He didn't care. Because He was preparing something greater. Today, you're going to identify one area where you're waiting for Jesus—and you're going to shift your posture from impatience to expectation.
Spend 15–20 minutes on this exercise:
Part 1: What Are You Waiting For? Identify one specific prayer, one request, one situation where you're waiting for Jesus to answer. Where does His timing feel too slow?
Write it down.
Part 2: What If He's Preparing Something Greater? Now ask yourself: What if Jesus isn't ignoring my request? What if He's allowing this to go further so that only resurrection—only His power—can fix it?
What would it look like if His answer is greater than what I asked for?
Part 3: Shift Your Posture: Finally, commit to one shift in how you approach this waiting:
Instead of: "Jesus, why aren't You answering?"
Pray: "Jesus, I trust You're preparing something greater. I'm waiting. I'm watching. I'm expecting to see Your glory."
Before you pray, acknowledge: "Jesus, I'm waiting for _________________. My timing says this should be resolved by now. But Your timing is different. Help me trust that You're orchestrating something greater than what I initially asked for. Help me wait with expectation, not frustration. Help me see Your glory in the delay."
Then wait. And watch. And trust.

I have two asks of you before you go, could you please share this podcast with one person today and check out the review of this podcast on Elevate Society?
That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today.
Now, take what you’ve heard…share it and live it.
Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus.