Read: John 5:1–9
When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” John 5:6
For thirty-eight years a man had been lying by the pool at the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem hoping, dreaming, wishing he could get to a better place in life—but doing nothing to change his circumstances. Thirty-eight years! Looking at the stagnation and illness of this man’s life, Jesus asked, “Do you want to be made well?” “Do you desire health?” “Do you really want to be free to live as God created you to live?” The root of these questions was Jesus’ desire for the man to take responsibility for his life and wellness.
Thirty-eight years is too long to wait for a miracle. It was thirty-eight years of daydreams and pipe dreams. Thirty-eight years of wasting away by the pool hoping and wishing for things to be different. Thirty-eight years of inaction. Most of us don’t have another thirty-eight years to wait to find the person God created us to be. We don’t have another twenty years to waste. In fact, we shouldn’t waste another day! No matter what ails us, it is time to heed Jesus’ command, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” When we start walking, that’s when we start healing!
What issue, situation, or relationship has been keeping you down?
Lord, I am tired of waiting. Call me out of my illness, help to surround me with the right people, allow me to break out of the dysfunctional systems that grip my life, encourage me to stop making excuses for myself…and then command me to start walking toward healing. In Your name, I pray. AMEN.