Like A Child

January 10, 2017

Day 10: Two Miracles in One:
"Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone.  He put his fingers into the man's ears.  Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man's tongue."—Mark 7:33

Today's focus is on the power of Jesus not only over our disabilities but also over time.  He healed the deaf man and gave him the ability to speak plainly instantly. The man didn't have to learn how to talk, he just did it.  Anderson's point is that Jesus "has the power to heal [us] immediately, if he so chooses." We must "trust his wisdom and timing."

I have always loved the stories of Jesus' miraculous healing of people, but here again something digs at me.  The part of "if he so chooses."  I realize that of course it is if he so chooses, but it brings me back to that feeling of God will do what He will do, when He wants to do it, so what difference does our hoping, wishing, praying make?

Since I can remember, I have held Jesus in the highest regard, as if he is like a big brother protecting me from harm and the harsh discipline of God.  Even though I know we are to view the Trinity as one entity, I still separate them in my mind and heart.  Jesus is the one who intercedes on our behalf.  He is the one who will speak for us when we stand before God to receive His judgement.  It truly is a dark image for me, but Jesus... he is the light that will protect us from God's wrath.  I also link Jesus and the Holy Spirit more closely than I do Jesus and God.  They seem to work together as protectors.  The Holy Spirit intercedes for us as well, especially when we do not have the words to pray.  "We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans" (Romans 8:26).  It's difficult for me to get past God as a disciplinarian.  What's sad about that is...well, everything.  I have had some amazing experiences with God, especially when I was younger. Why is it that now I see him in such a dark light?  Perhaps this is why we must come to him as little children. "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).  Children, generally, are obedient, innocent, pure in spirit, loving to others who are different from them, accepting, moldable, willing to try.  They are not jaded by life and they are curious, enthusiastic, and persistent.  Children who want something don't give up easily.  They keep asking.  Prayer is our way of asking God for what we want and what we believe we need.  Just as a parent's answer may be yes or it may be no, the same is true of God.  I must be like a child and keep asking and believing.