My biggest need

            I admit it, there have been times when I have thought “If I just get this, then everything in my life would be perfect.” Well maybe not perfect, but I have certainly had times when I thought getting something would change my whole life. Getting the job I wanted, getting the recognition I wanted, selling many books, being invited to speak at some great Church, getting the relationship I wanted. You get the idea. That one thing, that I was sure would change everything for me.

            Remember the story in the gospels where Jesus heals a paralyzed man? He is sharing with some people in a home, and so many folks were gathering to listen to him that when four guys arrived with their paralyzed friend they couldn’t get in to where Jesus was. They had this brilliant idea that they should take their friend up on the roof of the house, dig a hole in that roof big enough to lower their friend through, and then put ropes around him so that they could get him close to where Jesus was. And that’s what they did.

            I wonder if the paralyzed man was thinking that if he could just get healed, if he could just walk, then everything would be great in his life? For that matter, I wonder if his four friends thought that getting Jesus to heal him was also the most important thing that needed to happen.  Certainly, it was the paralyzed person who was brought to Jesus, not any of the four friends. His needs were the most important. And these guys had faith in Jesus. They expected him to help their friend. It was their faith, the gospel writers tell us, that caused Jesus to say to the man “Child, your sins are forgiven!”

            We are not told how the paralyzed man, or his friends, reacted to what Jesus said. We are simply informed that some were upset that Jesus thought that he had the power to forgive sins. Only God could forgive sins. And in response to those concerns Jesus demonstrated that he had the authority to forgive sins by telling the paralyzed man to pick up his bed and go home. And that is exactly what happened!

            It’s great being able to walk. We need to give thanks for that blessing, those of us that can walk. If we were paralyzed for a while that would teach us to be more grateful now that we can walk. But it doesn’t solve everything. There are lots of people around who can walk very well, yet they are depressed.

            And that one thing that we want for ourselves, if we get it, how long would it satisfy us? Are all film stars happy? Are famous singers walking on cloud nine all the time, or do they struggle with depression sometimes, do they have similar problems to everyone else? The person who has the job which would be the answer to all your problems, is that person happy? The person who has a relationship, is it enough for them? Those who have lots of money, are they content? Those who don’t have cancer, are they all doing great?

            Jesus knew that the paralyzed man had a greater need than being able to walk. That doesn’t mean that he didn’t care about the man’s felt needs, that just came second. Jesus knew that this man needed something greater than being able to walk. He needed to have his sins forgiven and be able to have a relationship with God.

            I am confident that the Lord has a better idea of what is most important for me and for you right now. We may have a different idea. Guess who is right.

            Take time to be alone with the Lord. Read the Scriptures, asking the Holy Spirit to speak to you as you read. The Lord has so much that he wants to say to us, and it is imperative that we take time to listen to him. Put aside that thing you so desperately want the Lord to do for you, and just spend time with him. Allow him to say what he wants to say to you. And yes, you can share with him, indeed you should share with him, what it is that you are hoping for. Then tell him that you are trusting him, for the right time to receive more of the wonderful things that he has for you. Meanwhile you are going to give thanks, worship him, and listen to what he has to say.