The water is stirring

Reading today in John chapter 5:1-17.   This story of the man being healed by Jesus has always brought up questions for me.  Not the part of Jesus healing the sick man, but of the angel that stirred up the water so when the first person that stepped into the water got healed of whatever ailment he had.   Was this really what would happen or was this some story that was passed on from people to people and it became a legend of the “healing pool”.  O.K. so even if it was true that an angel of the Lord would come down and do this stirring, why only at a “certain season”?  Why didn’t the angel just walk by these sick people and heal a certain person instead of making them do the work of walking into this water? There must have been some evidence or proof that it worked because this certain sick man was waiting 38 years there!

As our student ministry goes through this time of transition I couldn’t help but draw some comparisons to this old man and some of the students of the ODSM. Look at how the angel would stir up the water to make it heal the afflicted, BUT it was up to the afflicted to move, stand to their feet , gather their courage and strength,  put one foot in front of the other, run towards the water and take a flying leap into the water!  Thirty-eight years this guy was trying this!  Or was he?!?  The Bible describes this guy as sick, ill, lame, etc. but nothing specific.  Apparently this was a lifestyle for him for 38 years.  He certainly made himself comfortable with a bed right there at the gate.  I’m assuming that someone probably brought him food once in a while,  maybe patted him on the back and said, “Man, this could be your day.  I know your gonna make it to the water, just keep trying!”   But maybe he didn’t really try.  Maybe he got used to having someone come by once in a while and feed him scraps.  Never actually working to feed himself.  Maybe he got used to having that nice person come by every once in awhile and patting him on the back and encouraging him and making him feel good.  

So along comes Jesus and he knew this guys condition when He first laid eyes on him.  He knew that he had been there a long time in that condition.  What condition?  The sick man explains it.  Every time the angel stirs the water he tries to get to the water but someone else always steps in first.  ”I can’t do it because I have no one to help me!”  Basically saying he can’t do it on his own.   Seems like he was too dependent on others.  Relied too much on others to feed him and care for him.  Might even thought it was someone else’s responsibility to get him to the water to get him healed.

So Jesus asks him flat out, “Do you want to be well?”  Maybe this question went deeper.  Like, do you really, truly , desire, deep in your heart, want to be healed/changed.  After the sick man pleads his case about his predicament, he really doesn’t say yes or no.  Jesus lays it out to him.

“GET UP, PICK UP YOUR BED, AND WALK”

Nike’s “JUST DO IT” slogan 2,000 years ago.  Jesus tells him to get up on his own, pick up his bed-because that wasn’t going to be his residence anymore-he was no longer going to be stagnant and sedimentary, and walk-move, take action, do something, activate.   Later Jesus catches up with him in the temple and says “Look you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.”  He says “look your o.k. now, your better now, you can do this.  Stop sinning, follow me, and live the christian life.  

To the students of the ODSM:

If you have been relying on others to feed you – get up and walk.

If you have been relying on others to lead you- get up and walk.

If you have been relying on others to motivate you- get up and walk.

If you have been relying on others to carry you- get up and walk.

The waters have been stirring for the past 3 years- get up and walk.

New Louie Giglio-Fruit Cake and Ice Cream

Check out Louie’s latest message titled Fruit Cake and Ice Cream.   Click here to go to the message online.  Louie gives more insight into the life of Ashley with actual pages from her journals.

I’m not a blog slacker

I know it’s been awhile since I last posted but I’ve been taking that time to listen to more of Francis Chan’s podcasts from Cornerstone Church.  Recently finished the 7  part series on the Holy Spirit and it was just amazing.  He is one of my favorite speakers and he really can communicate the Bible so well.  He really just brought out some new things from God’s word and it’s really just given me a whole new mind set and thinking as it pertains to the Holy Spirit, the Creator, The Holy and Living God who lives inside of me and every believer.  Just stop and think about that last part.  Your old spirit is gone.  Now God’s spirit resides in this temple. 

Think about this verse in Galatians 5:25

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”  KJV

Imagine a life where we are constantly seeking the direction of the Spirit in every detail and aspect of our lives.  Step by step, minute by minute.  Every conversation, every chance meeting, all our leisure time, and every thought, being led by the Holy Spirit.  I’m trying to figure out what all that looks like and how to live  that.   The same God and His power that raised Christ from the dead, and created the universe, living inside of me! 

A song by The Afters might sum it up.  Here’s some lyrics and the video is the only one I could find, just ignore the anime and enjoy the song.

You’re with me
And now I see
What it means to me
To be a part of such a mystery

After all this time I’ve come to find my soul’s fragility
But You’ve rectified my frailty by your strength

It’s like the sun swallowed up by the earth
Like atomics bombs in reverse
As if a glass could contain the sea
That’s the way You are in me- The Afters  “The Way You Are”