Get up and take your mat and walk!

For the past two nights I have attended the Lake Murray and Columbia Young Life banquets.  This organization is very near and dear to my heart as it is where I came to put into practice the Jesus I had heard about in high school.  It is where I spent my time in college praying, being broken, being taught, being broken and being loved.  I learned how valuable it was to have relational ministries, how much more people responded to this approach. Where I heard so many times "I don't know about this Jesus guy, but I am going to follow Him because I trust you."  And it's where I learned that lesson over and over again. 

For the past two nights I have had the privilege of hearing Steve Gardner, Regional Director of SC and greater Charlotte, speak on the passage of John 5:1-18 - "The Healing at the Pool".  And boy did it rock my world each time.  He broke it down like this....there was a pool in Bethesda that people believed had healing powers.  That from time to time, an angel would dip its wings in the water and cause a stir.  Legend had it that whoever was the first in the pool after the stirring would be healed from whatever affliction they were suffering.  So many came and laid mats and simply watched. Watched and waited with anticipation and hope.  "Could today be the day I am healed?"  "How can I be in first?"  "How long must I wait for this blessing?"  When Jesus came into town, he noticed there was a man who had been waiting by the pool for 38 years.  38 years.  Let's just sit on that for a second.  This man has put all his hope in being healed by the stirring of the water.  Day after day this handicapped man made his way to the pool.  Crippled and probably hurting, he made his way to the pool.  And for 38 years someone always made it into the pool before him.  Here he is, just sitting and waiting.  Sitting and waiting for a supernatual act to happen and he will not move until then.  Jesus walks up to the man and simply says "Do you want to get well?"  Don't you think the man cocked his head to the side and just stared blankly and that maybe the disciples did the same?  Obviously that's what he wants.  And all it takes (like usual) is for Jesus to say "Get up and take your mat and walk."  Done. 

Why are we sitting around waiting for the waters to stir?  Why are we ok with our thoughts about sitting around waiting for the waters to stir? 

How often do we say when such and such happens, then I will move.  When this happens I will really get going.  When this time comes, then I'll go.  Jesus is saying to you and I right now, in this very moment
Get up and take your mat and walk!"  Not, wait until it feels right and go.  There is a freedom in Christ that says we will be taken care of.  We must be wise in our decisions, but we must also trust the one who created us.  That He knows best.  We don't need to waste away our lives and gifts waiting for the waters to stir. We don't need to wait 5,10,20, or even 38 years to be the first one in the pool. 

Get up and take your mat and walk!