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What's Stopping You?

by Shannon Heiden  
10/17/2009 / Devotionals

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"

"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."
Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk. (John 5:5-8 NIV)

Beautiful One, Did you know that in one day, something that has hurt you for years can turn around and work for you? In one hour, you can arise out of the ashes of adversity. The question is; do you believe it?... Or has your adversity tainted your faith, and polluted your mind? Are you blinded from seeing things as they really are?

Beautiful One, do you want to be well?

Countless books have been written about the life of Jesus. Who exactly was He? Scholars and theologians alike have given their insight about the most notable and famous man that ever lived.

Even today, 2000 years later. When you mention the name of Jesus it can incite love and adoration. Or, disbelief and disregard. Many will fall somewhere in between the two scenarios. But, no matter what one believes about Jesus, there is no denying his influence upon this earth....

The bible records Jesus three and half years of ministry. During those years, we can see a common thread. He came to help people. To see their lives better, restored, and flourishing. He loved people, no matter what they had done. In fact, the more things people had done to incur pain and chaos. The more attention and care Jesus showed them.

Jesus mission on earth was to open blinded eyes, heal broken hearts, and bridge that horrible gap that had been broken between God the Creator of all things, and his creation.

Jesus was about his Fathers business. Going from town to town and doing good. As some embraced him, others rejected him. But no matter where one fell on the spectrum of perception. Jesus stayed the course and He never gave up.

Even while He was hanging on a cross, suffering in agony, Jesus was still doing business. He was loving and encouraging a thief who hung alongside him. Jesus was busy forgiving the ones who were jeering and laughing at him, asking the Father to overlook their ignorance and hatred.

Beautiful One, Jesus did many wonderful things. And out of the many miracles Jesus did, isn't it interesting that opening blinded eyes was recorded more than any of them. Have you ever wondered why that is?

Could it be because; as a man thinks, so is he? (Proverbs 23:7 NIV) And as a man thinks is how he will see life and himself in it.

One of the greatest questions God ever asked, was to a man who had been sitting paralyzed by a well. This man, had tried and failed, then tried and failed some more. For thirty eight years he was in this condition. We can guess that somewhere from where he started, to where he was at, the process of time and disappointment had caused him to give up. He succumbed to the lie that time can sometimes tell you.

"Things haven't changed, therefore nothings going to change, and with no one around to help, this is all there is."

Beautiful One, don't believe it!

There will be many setbacks we will face in our lives. Some are big, some are small, and some will knock us to the ground. We can be left down for the count, wondering if we will ever get back up. These setbacks, don't just go away.

Because they have followed and plagued us for periods of time. We become familiar with them. We tolerate them. We adjust our lives to accommodate them. Instead of having an issue, we become the issue. We unknowingly start blaming others as if it's their fault as to why we are, the way we are.

The man who sat by the well was able to speak, hear, and move. And, although he could do those things, he chose to stay stuck right where he was at. He believed that because no one would pick him up, and put him in the healing waters, it was everyone else's fault. He mistakenly released himself from any accountability for his hardship.

Sometimes in life we need others around us, to lift us up, and help steady us until we catch our breath. But then, there are times in life when God expects us to get up ourselves. Sometimes God doesn't allow anyone to see us. Sometimes he keeps others at bay. Why? So that we learn to grow up, take responsibility for our own condition, and do something about it.

This man although he couldn't walk, was capable of dragging himself to the well. Maybe what happened to us along the way was no fault of our own. Even still, are we going to waste our youth on injustices incurred?...Or are we going to do the hard yards, and get our healing, crawling if need be? In case no one has told you, life is wonderful and worth living. And, not miserably waiting around for someone else to rescue us.

To do so will ensure that our adversity wins, and all those adversities that wounded us get to have the last say....Maybe this time, the one you're waiting on for help, is you?

Beautiful One, are we going to spend our lives on being blinded and stuck, sitting around making excuses? Are we going to keep licking the wounds of the past- over things that cannot be changed?

What is really stopping you from getting up and getting what you desire? May I suggest that the only person or thing stopping you, is YOU!

Do you want to be well?

Do you want to see the other side of life? Do you want to see what God has in store and prepared for those who love him? Do you want to have the abundant life that you hear others talk about?

If the answer is yes, then what's stopping you?

And only you knows the answer....... Today, right now you can change the course of your life. God will guide, heal and restore back to you what life has stolen from you. But you have to determine in your heart to get moving and not wait for someone else to do it for you.

Beautiful One, just believe, and if you want to be well and believe it can happen, then prove it! Pick up your mat up and walk!

Shannon Heiden
[email protected]
changingonelifereachingmany.typepad.com

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