Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Now in Jerusalem, by the Sheep Gate, there is a pool which in Hebrew is called Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these porticoes lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, limping or paralyzed... John 5:3 NASB
What Are You Waiting For?
Too many of us are not making any progress in life because we are waiting, when all we need to do is move out in faith and trust on the one who has called us. This past Sunday, Pastor Van preached a sermon about a man who was waiting. He was lame and had laid on a mat by the pool of Bethesda for 38 years – waiting. What was he waiting for?
After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted .A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. John 5:1-6a
This man was waiting for a chance to be the first one into the waters when the angels stirred them so he could be healed, but he was nowhere near the edge of the pool and couldn’t get there himself. It seems that what he is waiting for is impossible. So why is he there? Why is he waiting on something that hasn’t happened in 38 years? What is keeping him there on his mat?
What keeps you on your mat? What are you waiting for? Why is it easier to stay on the mat? Here are some reasons we choose to stay on our mat:
- We know we need to change but it is too hard. We don’t have the resource, so it is easier to stay on the mat. We don't have what we need to help ourselves.
- We don’t know what to do - but Jesus will guide our way if we just step out in trust!
- We want or expect Jesus to do it for us. We have heard the stories and seen Him change circumstances for people. Why doesn’t He fix my life for me? Why doesn’t He help me? Then we begin to believe we are unworthy, that God doesn't care about us and we deserve to lay on our mat, abandoned by God, for the rest of our lives. We believe we don't deserve victory. It is not for us. It is for better people.
- We are afraid and people will be upset with us – we will make them inconvenienced or angry for what we need to do to heal. We don’t want to deal with them, so it is easier to stay on the mat.
- It is too late. It has been too long. I am old. I have done this for ____ years so just tough it out. There is no hope. But there is hope - only in Jesus!
- We can’t see the way - but we can trust a Heavenly Father who has carved the path for us!
- We are comfortable – we are comfortable in our dysfunction because we have lived there so long it is normal and healthy living in victory is abnormal and uncomfortable to us.
Sometimes God does put us in situations where we are just waiting, but sometimes, He is waiting on us to get up off the mat and trust Him. In this instance, waiting gets us nothing – and sometimes to do nothing is a sin. If God has put you on a mat somewhere and wants you to wait – see what He is trying to do in your heart during this time. Don’t just do nothing. Even sitting on a mat, we can do something.
Let me say that I know that physical illness is a very real thing, and it limits us terribly sometimes. This is not about true physical illness that takes us out. Our world has seen so much of that in the past two years, and it is certainly very real and heartbreaking. This is about choosing to not get up when we really can.
We can come up with 1,000 reasons why it is easier to keep doing what we are doing – existing on our mat. We are choosing to live defeated, regardless of the power we have in Jesus Christ to rise above our circumstances. He gives us the power we need to get up and live in the victory He has given us – and that is what He calls us to do!
Today what are you waiting for? Are you waiting for the waters to be stirred? Are you waiting for someone to drag you off your mat and over to the pool? Are you waiting for Jesus to fix everything for you? He already has! Jesus heals us, and gives us purpose, value, and victory in our lives. It is our responsibility to get up and walk in victory. Choose healing – make the choice to accept the victory that is already yours in Him. It is a done deal – all you have to do is claim it and get up!
