He’s a Person

I would not call myself a country music fan. You may be thinking, “You’re missing out. How can that possibly be - didn’t you grow up on a farm? Are you living under a rock?”

I know, I know. But I’m here to tell you, I didn’t grow up with country music. It wasn’t played in my home, my friends and I loved us some ‘80s and ‘90s pop and rock, and out of all the pre-set radio stations in the family car (remember those??), none of them were set to country. Over the years, I just couldn’t get past the cringy country line of “I cut my bangs with some rusty kitchen scissors,” and I didn’t make an effort to try.

But I have a husband and now two sons who love country music. And taking car rides with them means listening to their music. In fact, my husband’s Christmas/anniversary present came to fruition last night. We saw Trisha Yearwood in a lovely, small-ish setting at BCPA. I enjoyed the concert! Trisha talked a lot between the songs, shared her gifts of wit and humor, and gave us the backstory on each song. Gratitude for where she is and who helped her along the way radiated from her.

Arguably, she’s just an amazing talent and one of the queens in country music. But my main point here is that I couldn’t have loved country music because I didn’t listen to it most of my life. We can’t love what we don’t know.

That statement is true no matter if you’re talking about country music or Jesus. Knowing the person of Jesus has transformed my faith in Him by cultivating a relationship with Him. Conversely, not knowing the person of Jesus does not allow our hearts to be opened or a relationship to form with Him.

This weekend we hear the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John Chapter 11). We hear what can happen when people know Jesus, have a relationship with Him, and what amazing things can come about when we trust in Jesus.

When Jesus arrives in Bethany, Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus has been dead for four days. The sisters had called for Jesus to come earlier, had hoped for His help sooner, but now the situation seemed hopeless. We read that the first words out of both Martha and Mary’s mouths when they see Jesus are if-only: “If only you had been here sooner, our brother would not have died.” They both know the power and goodness of Jesus; however, their hope appears lost.

But it’s Martha’s next statement of faith and trust that sticks with me. Martha says to Jesus, “But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” 

Even now.

Even when the situation appeared hopeless, Martha showed faith. Even in the midst of her grief and suffering, she shifted her focus to the possibility and power of God. Martha left room in her grief for a miracle.

Martha’s personal relationship with Jesus brought her to this strong belief and love for God. We can’t love what we don’t know. Throughout these final weeks of Lent, may we make an effort to better know the person of Jesus. We can spend time with Him in prayer, in the Eucharist, in His Word, or in service to others.

Let’s continue to get to know the person of Jesus so that we can leave room for a miracle and leave room for His Goodness in our lives.