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The Chibi News Daily Reflection
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Hello, my name is Nimsa Bunga and I'm the pastor of Freedom's Ark
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and member of the Evangelical Alliance here in the Tottenham Town Hall
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When Jesus hears that Lazarus is ill in the Gospel of John chapter 11
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he does not rush immediately to bet me. By the time he arrives, Lazarus has died
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to those around him, the delay must have felt confusing, even painful. Sometimes life unfolds
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in ways we do not understand. Jesus says, I am glad for your sakes that I was not there
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to the intent that you may believe. These are striking words. They suggest that even in sorrow
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something larger may be at work, a deeper revelation, a stronger faith. As the prophet
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Isaiah reminds us, my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways
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The raising of Lazarus from the dead does not deny the reality of grief Jesus himself weeps yet out of that grief comes a powerful sign of life
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The story suggests that difficult chapters are not always the final word
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Even in loss, there may be a purpose not yet visible to us
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Lent often brings us face to face with suffering, our own and that of the world
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The story of Lazarus does not offer easy answers, but it does offer hope that God's work continues
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even when we cannot see it and that new life may be closer than we think
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so we can trust beyond what we see. Let us pray. God of life and resurrection
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when we do not understand your ways, grant us patience and trust
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In times of sorrow, hold us steady and lead us towards eternal hope
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In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
