The situation was this. Jesus arrived into town and immediately a
large crowd formed. Seeing this, Jairus
the leader of the synagogue came and asked Jesus to come quickly, his daughter
was dying. So Jesus and the crowd headed for Jarius’ home, but along the way
Jesus was side-tracked.
I’ve learned over the years that there
can be many diversions. The best laid
plans often just don’t work out the way I’d prayerfully planned. I’ve learned
that those diversions which are from God are usually His course corrections and
work out for good. But those that are of my own doing, don’t always work out so
well.
This diversion was a woman, who clearly
“believed”. And her belief, though
causing a diversion for Jesus and Jarius, not to mention the crowd, resulted in
her healing after 12 years of suffering. Now Jarius and the crowd had just
witnessed a major miracle. For 12 years this woman suffered. It is likely that many of those in the crowd
knew her and her suffering—so watch what happens. After telling the woman that because of her
faith she was healed, Jarius’s servants arrive and tell Jarius and Jesus, The little girl is dead, don’t bother the
teacher any longer. Now what did the
crowd learn from the woman’s healing?
NOTHING! Clearly their believing
had an end point. Jesus can heal the sick. But if the sickness results in
death, then there is no hope, no healing, for death. The crowd showed that
there was a limit to what Jesus can do.
So here’s our question, God’s own
question to me. Is God big enough to fulfill the assignment He has given
you? The little girl was healed from the
moment Jesus agreed to go with Jarius, but Jarius did not understand this. The woman with the flow of blood did
understand this, so she was not delaying Jesus, rather she was giving Him
another opportunity to reveal His glory.
Yes, she wanted to be healed! Yes, she did not want to be washing her
clothes constantly from the bloody mess. But deep down she believed. She believed that Jesus would ensure good
would come from whatever befell her or anyone else. This was not a diversion,
it was an opportunity for Jesus to reveal Himself.
Don’t be afraid Jesus said to Jarius.
This means that once he heard his beloved daughter had died, he lost
hope. He became afraid. I can relate to Jarius’ fear. Many times in my life and
work I have felt afraid.
When my appendix ruptured – I was
afraid.
When my business lost $52,000 – I was
afraid.
When my business partner had a
debilitating stroke – I was afraid.
When my boys needed tuition for school
– I was afraid.
These
are just a few of the times I have lost my focus, when I listened to the crowd
and not to His Spirit. Yet in the midst
of these diversions, there was an opportunity.
He turned each fear into an opportunity for His glory.
Jesus says to us in the midst of our
fears – Do not be afraid, Just believe.
Just Believe simply means
to walk by faith, not by sight. We are not to look behind,
nor are we to look ahead as far as we can see.
Rather we are to look beyond.
Mark 5:26 “Don't be afraid; just believe,” was the
theme of last week’s OPEN Connect. I’ll
be writing on this theme for the next few weeks. If you were at the OPEN Connect, keep
implementing your applications from the week.
If you weren’t able to make it, it was an awesome Jesus time. For you, the following is a brief recap, with
comments by those who participated.
· 190 adults were inspired, encouraged and nurtured. The speakers
were a great encouragement. I look forward to more!
· 72 children grew in their relationship with Jesus and had a
blast doing it. Mom, do we really have to go home?
· 9 businesses presented to the Lions' Den (Shark's Tank). 3 businesses walked away with $10,000 another
with $25,000 and one with $80,000 for $135,000 invested. The
Lions' Den was beyond awesome.
· 48 workshops. This workshop changed my thinking on the
ways I should reach out to my employees and customers.
· 4 hours of planned networking and 5 hours of general
networking. I did not know others were
doing the same business I was! Thanks
for connecting us!
· Inspiring worship, twice a day. At the
Bangkok OPEN Connect I believe I told you “The worship was a home run!” How do
you top that? Well this year the worship was a grand slam!
· Special times for women.
I absolutely loved being in the
environment of the OPEN Connect. We
truly connected with people who inspired and spurred me on. I met more
ladies than I expected who I could relate to on many levels.
As with the Bangkok OPEN Connect, I was humbled to be with
amazing, godly people who have amazing God stories. We've come far in the
last two years, and I eagerly anticipate where we'll be in two more.
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