Are you willing to make a change?
JOHN 5:1-8
Throughout the course of my career, I have had the responsibility of working with, and leading, many different people and teams. In many cases, they were sales and revenue generation teams for the companies I worked for.
I can recall many discussions with sales people who were troubled with missing their revenue goals and not achieving their commission targets. In our chats, we would often uncover that they would do the same activities every day but would hope for different return. They would become frustrated over time when they would miss their goals, and their paycheques would be less than they had hoped.
In my investigation wit them we would often strategize new tactics that would hopefully lead to better results. However, in order for the tactics to be effective, it meant the sales person would need to do some things differently than they were doing already. Sometimes they would embrace the idea. Sometimes not. Those who were willing to try new things often had different, and better, results.
Q: Is there anything in your personal or professional life, right now, that is requiring you to do something different in order to achieve different results?
Let’s look at our scripture reference today, found in John 5:1-8; the healing of the paralytic man at the pool in Bethesda.
This story in the Bible intrigues me. The scene at the pool at Bethesda seems to be one of those situations where people assembled and hoped for a significant change to their handicapped situations without really doing too much to make it happen.
The pool of Bethesda had become a place where sick people gathered and hoped for healing. These sick people believed miraculous cures were possible and did what they could to win this “healing lottery” every day.
Thinking about the main character in the story (other than Jesus), it appears there were no social programs to help this man who had been ill for a long time. In fact, the story suggests he had been this way for thirty-eight years!
For him, hygiene and mobility were impossible. He was likely a common beggar, eking out a living from the scraps and pitiful donations of the people who came to use the pool.
It would seem to me, that, after 38 years, this man would have settled into a very common daily routine. The scenario would have become incredibly familiar to him, and he would navigate it the same way day after day.
Then, after 38 years, someone new enters the scene. The foreigner. A rabbi and a healer. And in their discourse, Jesus asks the paralyzed man this question; “Do you want to be healed?”
What kind of question is that? Everyone could see this person occupied his position poolside every day with the same intention as everyone else. Of course he wanted to be healed. Or did he?
The way only Jesus could do, he saw through this situation with clarity and knew exactly what to say. In this case, all he had to do was ask a question. A seemingly innocuous question that may have even seemed out of place.
It appeared this man wanted to be healed. Why would he be there otherwise? But did he really grasp what would change for him if he were to be healed? His daily routine would likely change. He would need to leave the area and take on a different life. He might need to become a contributing member of the society in which he lived. Along with the healing came many new responsibilities and changes. His days would be filled with new things, and no longer supported by the routines that have little value.
In their discussion, Jesus gave the sick man a command; “Pick up your mat and walk away from here“. That’s something different! Nobody had ever told him to do this before. In 38 years, he likely never tried to do this, or believed he could.
As the story continues, we read that the man did, in fact, do just that. He picked up his mat. He walked away. He started a new life.
I sometimes think we are just like the paralyzed man at the pool. We live our days following the same routines and hope for something miraculous to happen. Something that changes the outcome of a situation. Something that alters the course of our future. But, like the man at the pool, we do the same thing day in and day out without truly expecting much to change.
What situation are you hoping that God would heal for you? How long have you been waiting for an answer to a question you keep asking? What is he asking you to do that you might be avoiding? I was holding you back from doing it?
Perhaps God is allowing you to sit with the situation while he waits for an answer to the question, ”Do you really want to be healed?” Are you willing to accept the responsibility that might come with healing, whatever that may be?
My Prayer:
God, my father, I think you for being the healer over many things. I know you see me in my situation, and know exactly what I need. I confess I often avoid what it is you ask me to do. I pray for courage to take the steps needed to bring about change. Thank you for these words today. Amen.
Blessings as Always!
Steve Shrout
President, Corpath Forums
Email: president@corpath.ca
"Pursuing Excellence in Business, Life and Spirit"
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development, and SPIRITUAL growth.
