Power

I've sensed God's power at work in my life more in the past few months than ever before.

I think I've maybe been paying more attention since I read Ephesians 1:19 in July, where Paul prays that the Ephesians might know "his incomparably great power for us who believe."

This is cool. Not only is God's power incomparably greater than anything else (when I read this, my almost-5-year old nephew and I made a list of powerful things as a reminder that God is more powerful*), but it is for us who believe.

God's incomparably great power is real in my life. This is the same power, Ephesians goes on to say, that God used when he raise Christ from the dead. That's the magnitude of power available to me.

It's the power that gives me strength even when I feel lonely or incompetent.

It's the power that enables me to think of wise or creative solutions I never could've come up with on my own.

It's the power that surprises me with unexpected occurrences that bring a smile to my face.

It's the power to send a deluge that puts out a wildfire.

It's the power to speak directly to me.

It's the power that brings healing and freedom out of darkness.

It's the power to control my natural impulses and wait patiently to see what God wants me to do.

God's power is no greater in my life this month than it always has been. I'm just noticing it more. And if you stop to look at your life, you'll see that this awesome power is at work there, even in the bleak times.

* Powerful things my nephew and I came up with: Daddy, computers, elephants, lighting/thunder, lamps, ants, batteries, wildfires.

Do You Want To Get Well?

Jesus heals a lot of people in the Bible. Some of the passages don't even describe the details, they just tell of people coming to see him in droves. Most of the healings Jesus performs are for people who sought his help.

And then there's the lame man in John 5. He's been an invalid for 38 years. Jesus sees him sitting by this mystical pool that is rumored to heal the first person to get in after an angel stirs it up. This man isn't begging.  He didn't have friends bring him to Jesus. He doesn't see Jesus and cry out for help. He's just lying there. And Jesus comes up to him with a simple question, "Do you want to get well?"

He actually doesn't respond to the question. He just starts making excuses. "Well, everybody else gets there first when the water is stirred up." Unlike so many who come to Jesus desperate with hope, this man plays the victim. "Woe is me." After 38 years, he's so used to playing this victim card that he doesn't even think to answer Jesus' question with a yes. We're left to wonder...does he want to get well? If he's heard the rumors of this mystical pool, hasn't he also heard rumors of the great healer traveling around Israel? Why hasn't he sought Jesus' help?

Well, want it or not, Jesus heals him. But he reminds me of too many people I've seen. Wallowing in self pity and misery so long they end up stuck there. And really, when it comes right down to it, even though it's painful, there's a comfort to it. Because at least then they can keep blaming other people and circumstances. At least then they don't have to take responsibility.

There's no mystical pool to heal our sorrows. There is only Jesus. But he rarely healed those who didn't seek it out. Do you really want his healing? Then get up! Pick up your mat and walk!