out of options...

She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse.

Mark 5:26

it is pretty amazing how slow we are sometimes. why is it that we stick to our plans no matter their lack of results? yesterday's lectionary reading was about a disabled man who had been sitting next to the healing pool for 38 years, waiting for his opportunity to get in when the waters were stirred. 38 years!!!! that is close to the average life span of someone in this time. he had never gotten in; yet, he continued to sit there.

in today's reading, the woman had been bleeding for 12 years - only about a quarter of the time the disabled man had been ill. still, she had tried everything. the result - she was out of money, out of options, and was growing worse. it was 12 years that had been wasted - 12 years in a life that is all too short to begin with.

it seems that sometimes we have to hit rock bottom (and then some!) before we hand our plans over to Jesus. what is Jesus' response to our plans, which we have religiously clung to despite the fact that they have repeatedly failed us? his response is, "do you want to be healed?" translation - "are you ready to give up your plans and allow me to show you the way?"

friends, may we not create plans and stick to them despite their ineffectiveness. instead, may we search out God's plans for us. may we continually hold up what we think His plans are for us for Him to shine His light on and correct. may we not bleed for 12 years or sit crippled for 38. may we not waste our lives chasing after our own plans. may we be healed, pick up our mat, and run after Jesus.

cheers,

jw <><