The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Friday
August 8, 2008
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three
o'clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was
being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the
Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he
saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
Peter and
John looked at him intently, and Peter said, "Look at us!" The lame man looked
at them eagerly, expecting a gift. But Peter said, "I don't have any money for
you. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get
up and walk!"
Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him
up. And as he did, the man's feet and anklebones were healed and strengthened.
He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and
praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
Acts 3:1-8
Like this man at the gate called Beautiful, we think money is the answer to all of our problems, but in God's plan there just might be something better!
One of the things that gets me about this passage of scripture is a hidden fact; Jesus Himself often passed by this gate. At any point in time Jesus could have reached out and healed this man, but Jesus operated in the wisdom of God's time – not man's desire.
There is rarely a week that goes by that I don't receive a request for money for someone in need. A couple of years ago I got a phone call from a woman I wanted to be involved in the ministry. I just knew she was calling to donate money or maybe request counseling for a hurting woman, but no – she wanted money to get the woman a place to live or for us to find a place for her. I didn't let that discourage me too much. I was learning to trust God's time.
Not long after that my ex-mother-in-law was told she had rectal cancer. This did not disappoint her. She had just lost her husband and saw this cancer as an opportunity to leave this world right behind him. However, the cancer didn't take her as quickly as she hoped it would. Instead, God's time kicked in.
For the last few days and weeks of her life, each child and grandchild was given an opportunity to say their sweet goodbyes to this woman they loved. In turn, she softened. You see, this lady lived with multiple sclerosis. For years she was confined to a rocking chair and bed. She tended to everyone's business and didn't think too much of their real needs – to be loved. Yet, in her last days on this earth – in God's time – she began to appreciate each individual as a precious gift from God.
Are you sitting at the Beautiful Gate waiting on a handout? Well, why don't you just reach your hand out to God and tell Him that you want what He wants for you and that you're willing to trust His time table. You just might get more than you can imagine!
Father, we thank You for this lesson in truth. Your time is worth waiting on – no matter what our circumstances may be. Teach us to value each moment of each day You give us to be in this world. Thank You for teaching us that healing is better than money! You truly deserve all our praise. We will wait for You!
