Broken For Building

What lies ahead of you today? What mountains do you have to face next week, next month, upon graduation? How do you move forward, especially when you’ve been used to something for so long?  

For some, we may have to move forward in friendships, relationships, jobs, start a new career.   For others, moving forward is more of an emotional task – we have to face the past, forgive, let go of our expectations, or we may have to release our hurts and our wounds. 

No matter what stage of life you are in, there are always opportunities where you have to consider will I stay here or will I move ahead? I believe that in John 5:1-11, Jesus gives us instructions on how to move forward, how to go to the next level in our various situations. 

Those at the pool of Bethesda were physically sick.  They were blind, lame, and paralyzed.  While our condition may or may not be physical, we may be spiritually blind – unable to see the path that God wants to take us on. We may be lame – unable to walk the path that God has for us. We may be paralyzed – somewhat capable of moving forward but unable to because some part of us is not fully functional.  We may be emotionally paralyzed – scared to face what lies inside, scared of facing the pain and the hurt. 

The man in v. 5 (while we don’t know if he spent all his 38 years  of infirmity at this pool), had been waiting for quite some time for a chance to experience new life. 

In verse 6, Jesus saw the man lying there and asked him “Do you want to get well ?” – some versions say “Do you want to be made whole?” And today Jesus is asking you “Do you want to move forward?” – As I read the text, I wondered why Jesus asked him “Do you want to get well” – Doesn’t Jesus already know our position, know our situation?

 I believe that Jesus asked him this because this is the first of four steps to moving forward. Without this step, none of us can make the changes needed to better our lives or to  move ahead.

1.    Your progress begins when you make up your mind – 

   I believe that Jesus did not ask this question because He didn’t know the man’s situation. He asked because he wanted the man to make up his mind. He wanted a definite response – Yes, I do want to move forward and get healed or no, I want to stay here and enjoy my pity party. 

   Sometimes we don’t make up our minds because of fear – fear of the unknown, fear of being vulnerable, fear of admitting our hurt, fear of failure, fear of the responsibility we have to take once we make up our mind. Again Jesus is asking “Do you want to get well?” “Do you want to move past where you are?” “Do you want to grow?” If so, the first step is to make up your mind that it’s time to move forward.

           
   Lord,  I want to move forward and be released of all the things that are weighing me down physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Help me to let go of my fears so that I can make up my mind once and for all. The first step begins with me. I don’t want to to sit at the pool where healing is available and not be able to get well. I’m ready Lord, I’m ready to move forward.
   
   In the next few posts, we will continue to explore John 5:1-11.