Get Up!

Something before I get going with this entry.

People are in varying states of brokenness. Sometimes their confidence and self worth is so battered, it is here that the great work of healing needs to take place. I appreciate that. So what I’m writing is not about this group of people.

I was reading John 5 again. The episode of the healing of the man by the pool of Bethesda, is a reminder that sometimes being crippled can be as much a state of mind as a state of body. When Jesus asks if he wants to be healed, he makes excuses. After he’s healed, he looks to avoid responsibility again when questioned and is swift to implicate Jesus for carrying his mat on the Sabbath. He’s done this even after Jesus warned him to stop sinning or else he’ll end up worse.

Sometimes there is an element of people being spiritually crippled even after Jesus enters their life. They are keen to blame others for their own inactivity, and they pass the buck for anything they do. It’s the pastor’s fault, it’s the church’s fault, it’s my parents’ fault, it’s my spouse’s fault. I would have done it, but someone beat me to it. I’ve tried my best, but someone always gets there before me.

Excuses that help us stay in the crippled state, ever wishing, never moving, ever complaining, never resolving.

Jesus helps us in our weakness by giving us His strength. So emboldened, we can no longer blame anyone or anything for failing to act.

We are no longer spiritual cripples once Jesus tells us to Get Up!

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd