Thursday, October 26, 2023

In John 5:2-9 Jesus encounters a paralyzed man by the pool of Bethesda. Jesus knew this man had been lying there a long time in this condition. Yet Jesus surprisingly asks him, “Do you want to be healed?” The man doesn’t say “Yes.” Instead, he blames his circumstances and makes excuses. But Jesus knew he needed more than physical healing. And so it is with some of us. We sit on our mat, self-imprisoned by the circumstances of our life, addicted to infirmity, bound by our emotions, tethered to our weaknesses, burdened by our condition, sometimes wallowing in self-pity, and many times blaming others for our situation. From this poor man in his helplessness, little was expected. When he was healed, the lame man would have to begin a new life — a life of opportunity and hope, but also one of struggle, selfdiscipline, duty, responsibility, and accountability. When Jesus comes into our lives, He changes everything. Do you want to be healed? Come to think of it, shouldn’t we all?

My Haggai Leader Experience really encouraged me to be more bold — and gentle — in persuading others to commit their lives to Christ.