While He was still speaking, people came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why bother the Teacher further?” But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” And He allowed no one to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the synagogue official, and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. And after entering, He said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child has not died, but is asleep.” And they began laughing at Him. But putting them all outside, He took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was in bed. And taking the child by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha, kum!”(which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). And immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astonished. And He gave them strict orders that no one was to know about this, and He told them to have something given her to eat.

Some things in life feel like a lost cause. We use this phrase to communicate that we feel like there is no hope in a situation. When we dismiss people as too far gone and dismiss situations as beyond repair, we give up. This is what the people had done in this passage, after the daughter passed away, the pursuit of Jesus felt unnecessary. It was a lost cause. Yet the same Jesus who saw Jairus in the crowd and heard his plea had not forgotten him or his situation. Jesus was still at work even as others had dismissed the situation as hopeless.

When we are overwhelmed by the issues around us, it can be easy to stop pursuing Jesus. We come to a place that we wonder “What is the point?” or question God’s goodness or presence in our situation. Wherever you are, God is not done working in your life. The broken pieces you have brought to Him, He has not forgotten. The parts that feel beyond repair, He can handle. As followers of Christ we are never alone, we have been left with God’s presence inside of us so that He is with us, renewing us, healing these broken pieces as we bring them to Him. Jesus said in John 14:26-27, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you. Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.” Christ has left us with His presence, His help, and His peace so that we can everything we need in Him even when we face those things that feel like a lost cause.

• What is a situation that feels beyond repair in your life right now?
• Have you ever felt like God forgot you and your situation? How does this passage provide hope for you?
• Pray and bring to God the situations that feel like a lost cause.