Tag: healing

Walk

Good morning friends and Happy Independence Week! Yes, I have extended the holiday because I am still in vacation mode from my short stay-cation last week. It is almost the weekend again, what do you have planned? It is supposed to be a sunny weekend here in Jacksonville, so I am hoping to get in another beach day. Wishing all of you a sunny weekend as well!

Today, I am going to be referencing the story in John 5:1-15. This is when Jesus heals the disabled man by the pool of Bethesda. We are going to call this man Rob to avoid repeating “the man” over and over. *Note: this is a fictitious name that I made up; I did not get it from this passage.

“Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” John 5:8-9

“Pick up your mat and walk.” I love how Jesus commanded such powerful things in so few words. The authority packed in what He said is what gave the words their power; He didn’t need to command in descriptive paragraphs.

Notice when Jesus healed Rob: Jesus performed the miracle but instructed Rob to do the rest of the work. Sometimes, I can be guilty of expecting and experiencing a miracle..then expecting God to maintain it. God can maintain it, but in what I have read of the Word, He calls us to be people of action. We are his Royal Priesthood, Ambassadors, Overcomers and Followers (1 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 5:20, Romans 8:31-39, Ephesians 5:1). These are titles that require both authority and action. Trust, love, teach, share, clothe, heal, feed- these words are what we are called to do. They each require action.

I believe what Jesus was doing was instructing Rob to accept the healing, and live by the standard. He did not want him to leave his mat in that place, because it was time for him to move on. Maybe if Rob would have left his mat in this place of sickness and oppression, he would have migrated back seeking what was comfortable (what he knew to be his normal). It would have probably been easier at times. Change is tough. Thirty-eight years of one life, as difficult as it was, still creates a comfort zone. Jesus knew the temptation of becoming complacent and not moving forward could arise in Rob if he still took ownership of that position among the oppressed. So, He commanded that he pick that mat up and take action! Rob still held the mat, reminding him of where he had been, but he moved ahead with that knowledge. He is the one that took those steps commanded by Jesus. It was Rob’s choice.

Sometimes I think we get so comfortable expecting Jesus for things, we forget that we hold power and favor with the Father as well. Jesus does deserve all of our praise and faith, but we also need to recognize that we are responsible for maintaining the miracle. 

I’ve shared before with you that I have struggled on and off with depression for most of my life. Well, about a year ago, I experienced what I refer to as an “episode” where I get very low and hopeless. It feels like a pit with walls impossible to climb. I did not have the strength to get out of that pit, only He did. However, once I initially experienced that miracle of truth, He empowered me to move forward. He gave me the strength, but I had to pick up my mat and walk. Today, it is my responsibility to maintain that miracle. Yes, God can; but where does my faith walk come in if I just sit back and wait for Him to do it all. Walking with Christ requires discipline, and that discipline bares fruit of purpose, healing and victory. I am called to life! It is my responsibility to trust Him and take action steps of faith- reading His Word, filling myself with life giving words, songs and books, seeking Godly counselling and medical attention that I may need. If I would have just experienced that miracle of truth in that moment and went about my life as I had been (gotten back on my figurative mat), what would my life look like today? I know myself and I know what I have done in the past; so, yes, if I sat back down on the mat I would have been assuming my position among the oppressed. But friends, that is not who I am because I belong to Christ! My inheritance is not only heavenly treasure, but also victory over the oppressors of this life on earth.  Jesus overcame, and I am His, so I better assume my responsibility and live in that! You are His too, so lets walk this out together.

Thank you Jesus for your healing and guidance. Thank you for your empowering Word that gives us strength to pick up our mats and walk! My prayer for you and me today is that we continue trusting and relying on our heavenly Father and take on the responsibility of maintaining our miracles.

 

Held

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9

I remember a moment of complete brokenness that I experienced some years back. Reflecting on it now, I remember how it felt to come undone. I was 22 years old. In that moment, I realized I had lost the guy that I thought I would spend the rest of my life with. We had broken up a few days before but the reality that it was over did not set in until that phone call. The moment he ended the call– I was lost. I sobbed and yelled “No” repetitively. I think that is all I knew to do. I crumbled onto the living room couch.

I idolized planning back then. I had lists for my lists and mapped out every detail of my life. Then, in that moment, the plan was ruined. I loved that boy to my core. As frustrated as I had grown with the relationship, I was so dedicated to the life I believed we would have. My world felt like it had been ripped out from under me.

Moments after my breakdown began, my brother came downstairs and witnessed my devastation. He heard my wailing from his room upstairs. He said nothing; he just reached down to me, lifted me up onto his lap, and held me. Just held me. That moment, as dark as it was, will always be the best moment I have shared with my little brother. Reflecting on it now brings tears to my eyes. Not tears of sadness, I have completely healed and been restored of everything that I considered loss that day; thank you Jesus. They are tears of gratitude and humility for that special moment. He transitioned from little brother to protector and has maintained that role, in my mind, ever since.

I understand that this story sounds more like a diary entry than a scripture study. However, I decided to go this route today because of what God is doing in my life right now. I want to testify on His behalf. This story is a perfect real-life illustration of the unconditional love and faithfulness of God.

He is so faithful. I’ve walked away from Him, disrespected Him, and sinned against Him. Yet, He never leaves me broken. If I allow the world to get me there, I can call on Him and He heals me. It looks different each time, sometimes immediate and others a longer process. But, He always does. He holds me when I come undone. When I crumble in despair, just like Devin did, He reaches down, picks me up and holds me closely. He whispers truth in my ear, “I love you child. Get up child, you are a victor. I’ve got you beloved.”

He is holding me now. I am in a much better place than I have been in the past. But right now, I am battling fear. Fear of an uncertain future, fear of being alone and fear of rejection. I am right in the middle of it. But friends, He is holding me. He is right here in the with me. Taking on every question, cry and confused prayer; whispering words of truth in my ear. I am not reporting on my deliverance from these things…yet. I am testifying to His presence in the now.

I love Jesus. Honestly, I consider myself a pretty tolerant person but I would have given up on me a long time ago. He doesn’t though, isn’t it amazing? He loves me, He holds me. When I am together, He celebrates with me and guides me. When I am undone, He holds me and breathes life into my decaying heart. I imagine in the spiritual realm, it looks a lot like what my brother did for me that day.

So thank you Taz for being the big little brother that I needed. Thank you Father for loving me so.

“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91: 2

 

Touch

Good morning and Happy Friday! I am thrilled this day is finally here. I have a weekend with a few of my long time girlfriends ahead and this week dragged on as I waited in anticipation. I couldn’t kick off the weekend though without sharing this short passage with you; Monday just would not have come soon enough.

Start by reading Matthew 8:1-4.

This is a story I have heard referenced my entire life. It is a testament to the healing power of Jesus. However, when I read it this time, the Holy Spirit revealed something else to me.

Let me set the scene: Jesus had just been on the mountainside teaching his disciples and crowds of curious people. As he came down, a man with leprosy approached him and asked for healing. Jesus touched the man and he was healed.

The first thing I would like to call attention  to is the way this sick man approached Jesus. Verse 2 says, “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean.” This man knew the power of Jesus before he even asked for healing. He approached him in expectation. He acknowledged His authority by kneeling before Him, then made his humble request. I would love to unpack this interaction with you, but that is not the focus of this post. So, stay tuned because we may study this story again.

The focal point of this post is the way Jesus loved this man in the specific way he needed. In the time frame we commonly refer to as the “Bible days”, leprosy was an epidemic. The people believed the disease spread by contact, so infected population was avoided and even sometimes colonized away from the general public. If the man was visibly infected, he had probably had the disease for quite some time. Meaning, this man had most likely not been touched in a while.

Human physical contact is such an interesting gift from the Lord. Physical touch from others can be comforting and encouraging. Reflect on a hug from a parent, or holding hands with a significant other. A pat on the back from a coach or boss can make you feel on top of the world. We can feel loved with physical touch, or validated. A simple gesture can be so powerful.

Jesus had the power to heal this man without touching him. The Bible tells us that in the next few verses (5-13) about the Centurion’s servant. However, Jesus did not just want to heal this man’s flesh, he wanted to heal his heart. Jesus obliged this man’s request by healing his body completely. He honored his expectation by healing his heart. The physical touch from our Savior probably meant more to this man than his physical relief of pain.

Oh, how I love our Jesus. He is so good. He loves us in the specific way we need; in a way that only He can. Think about that today and just rest in his love.

Have a good weekend, friend.