Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
Healing come in diverse forms. Sometimes, Jesus the Healer requires you to act. He asked the man at the pool to rise, take up his bed and walk, in essence; act, do something by and for yourself to get out of the unpalatable predicament that ideally should not be your portion but which you have gotten used to because there appears to be sufficient justification for the excuses you make. For instance, the man at the pool complained of having no one to put him in the pool when the water was stirred coupled with his inability to get in to the pool before the other supposedly smarter people. He did not mention the fact that he was sluggish and his sluggishness was the reason he could not get into the pool before the supposedly other smarter people at the pool.
The man at the pool was comfortable; in point of fact very comfortable with his situation at the pool. To put it mildly, he had come to love the situation as it helped him to excuse away his destiny in addition to unknowingly celebrating his weaknesses. Weaknesses, you may ask! Certainly and quite a number! For instance, he loved to depend on people; to have people do for him what he could actually do for himself if only he put his mind to it. For example, he could actually find creative ways of getting into the pool without the assistance of anyone if he was really determined to do so. But like Professor Lazy who always comes up with a dozen excuses for not tilling his land when he should – a fierce lion was parading the street in desperate search of Professor Lazy; his body aching from inactivity required a little rest, a little sleep: the man at the pool hung at the pool for thirty eight years waiting for someone to put him in the pool.
The pertinent question to ask is was he really interested in getting well especially so when he gave the additional excuse of other smarter and faster sick people who got into the pool before him. Beloved, wait a minute! These people who got into the pool before him were also sick people; people described in verse 3 of John Chapter 5 as sick people, some blind, some lame and some paralyzed. Though the man’s ailment is not specified, it is clear that he was not competing against strong healthy people who have an edge over him to get into the pool. He was actually in the race of life against people like him; sick people who lacked strength and of course people to put them in the pool. Yet this young man chose to enjoy hanging out at the pool and making excuses for remaining at the pool for thirty eight years; prime time to get married to a beautiful woman, raise godly children, make good money to live a decent life, be a blessing to people and serve the plans and purposes of God for his life. Rather, excuses came to him readily which explains why he could not answer correctly the only question Jesus asked. Rather he began his long winding string of excuses as if they had any connection with the simple question of do you want to be made whole which required a simple yes or no answer. For instance, how does the fact that he had no one to help him or the fact that he was too sluggish to get ahead of others into the pool affect his desire and decision to be made whole when all he needed to say to Jesus was Yes, Sir, I want to be made whole?
A comparative analysis of the actions of the man at the pool and those of blind Bartimaeus as well as Zacchaeus speak volumes of the fact that the man at the pool loved and enjoyed his situation at the pool thus the string of excuses he gave. If anyone had excuses, blind Bartimaeus did. He could not see and therefore had no way of seeing or reaching Jesus. But the moment blind Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by, Bartimaeus became very creative – if he could not see Jesus, Jesus could hear him. So he used his voice to attract Jesus’ attention and the moment he got Jesus’ attention; a very prepared Bartimaeus made the one request he desperately needed which was the restoration of his sight and he got it. Significantly, Jesus did not even ask Bartimaeus if he wanted to be made whole like He asked the man at the pool - a very direct specific question which required a yes or no. Rather, Jesus asked Bartimaeus what Bartimaeus wanted Jesus to do for him. Smart Bartimaeus who knew what he wanted in life requested the restoration of his sight – no rambling stories of how he became blind, what had been done and what was not done, who treated him nicely or badly. Bartimaeus gave a specific direct answer, “Lord, that I may receive my sight”. His sight was restored. Please see Luke Chapter 18 verses 35 to 43 and Mark Chapter 10 verses 46 to 52.
Zacchaeus was short. His short stature constituted a disadvantage to seeing Jesus because of the multitudes that thronged around Jesus. Zacchaeus did not throw a pit party. He creatively sought a way out of a natural disadvantage by climbing a sycamore tree just so he could see Jesus. He saw Jesus alright but Jesus saw him first in the realm of the spirit and at the appropriate time and spot, Jesus looked up to where Zacchaeus was and invited him to fellowship; significantly in Zacchaeus’ house where Zacchaeus could see Jesus from every angle without anyone barricading his view of Jesus. Please see Luke Chapter 19 verses 1 to 10.
Jabez prayed and reversed pain and obscurity in his life for greatness and joy. Please see 1st Chronicles Chapter 4 verse 9. Isaac took responsibility for his wife and prayed for her. God had a hand in the marriage yet for a very long time, there was no fruit of the womb. Rebecca’s fruitfulness was locked up but prayers opened her womb and she had twins. Please see Genesis Chapter 25 verses 21 to 23. There is no barrenness that does not respond to prayers. In fact, you can do something about any barrenness as prayer can reverse any barrenness. Therefore, take responsibility, stand in the gap and pray. Results will come – Jeremiah Chapter 23 verse 23.
The widow of the indebted prophet refused to accept debt bondage for her two sons. She received divine strategies to get out of the situation. She destroyed the progressing evil of indebtedness in the family by her wise actions. Please see 2nd Kings Chapter 4 verses 1 to 7.
Beloved, these Biblical success stories had clear visions, missions and objectives for their lives. This explains why they were able to overcome the challenges that showed up in their pathways by using those same challenges as stepping stones to greatness. You can do same for your life today and have speedy remarkable turnaround by refusing to give excuses; refusing to celebrate and enjoy the negative situation, and by giving the situation quit notice. That way, you will not hang out at the pool and lose thirty eight years of your life, lose a beautiful vineyard like Professor Lazy. The choice is yours to identify what is either in your hand or your environment for a turnaround miracle.
Peter had a boat and lent it to Jesus Christ. Thereafter, Peter made the biggest catch of his life. Please see Luke Chapter 5 verses 1 to 11. You can either use or deploy the tools which are readily and freely available to you to great advantage. Bartimaeus used his voice, Zacchaeus sidestepped his short stature and climbed a tree, Jabez prayed and the widow processed and sold what she had earlier on referred to as only a jar of oil to pay off the debts. You can also win in the game of life if you choose to. What you think is the worst for your life is what will bring you success. Shalom.
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