Changed Forever

"While Jesus was in one of the towns,

a man came along who was covered with leprosy.

 When he saw Jesus,

he fell with his face to the ground and begged him,

'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'

 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.

 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!'

And immediately the leprosy left him."

Luke 5:12,13

Many people promise change.  Politicians, doctors, exercise gurus, nutrition professionals, talk show hosts and relationship experts are but a few who claim to have the answers that will change your life forever!

These well-intentioned specialists can give advice until the cows come home, but nothing or no one is able to facilitate real change in my life outside of my Creator.  After all, He made me and knows me better than anyone else.

I may be able to make a change in my own life by reading a book and following the advice of an authority in the area in which I need help.  But this change will be temporary and superficial at best.  Real change comes from the inside out, in places where only my Creator can touch. 

Be Willing

There are many times I have come to Jesus, asking for help but not really ready to receive what He desires to give me.  I may already have a solution in mind and I just want Him to fulfill that wish, as if He were a vending machine.  But this is not how God works!

I remember another incident in the New Testament of an invalid who stayed at the edge of a healing pool called Bethesda in Jerusalem, waiting to enter the waters after they had been stirred by an angel, hoping to be the first one in and thus be healed.  After 38 years, it still hadn't happened,  but he continued to hope.  One day Jesus walked in and asked him if he wanted to be healed.  Not knowing who Jesus was, the man explained how he could never get into the waters fast enough, someone always beat him to it.  Then, Jesus healed him.

This man is a lot like me.  Many times my focus is in the wrong place.  I may be experiencing some kind of health issue, relationship problem or emotional suffering and I am quick to make an appointment with my doctor, research the problem on the Internet or ask others what they think, but I rarely go to Jesus first, falling with my face to the ground, begging Him to heal me!  I ask Jesus for help, but I do not put all my eggs in His basket.  Instead, I ask for guidance and strength as I try to find the solution myself.  What a fool I've been, just like the invalid who didn't know Jesus.

If instead I completely relied on God, going only where He led me and allowing Him to work in me, my life would forever be changed.  The healing that Jesus brings is complete, effecting my physical, emotional and spiritual beings.   The change that humans can offer apart from God is deficient, brief and unfulfilled.

Jesus is Willing

It seems whenever I experience a health problem, it's always on the weekend or during a time when my doctor is unavailable.  She is only human and has a life of her own so she is unwilling to be on call 24/7, waiting for me to have a need.

One of my greatest fears is that when I call 9-1-1 during an emergency, I will be put on hold or no one will answer.  The professionals will be too busy to help me right at the time I need it most.   This is not a problem with God!  Jesus is always ready.  Jesus' words as recorded in Revelation 3:20 give me hope and assurance, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

Jesus will never put me on hold.  He is waiting for me to invite Him in and make Him an intimate part of my life, sharing all my problems, joys and fears, as if I were sitting around the dinner table with Him.  

If I want real change, I need look no further than Jesus.  But first, I must humble myself before Him and be willing to accept the kind of healing He offers me.  Once I give my all to Him, He will change me forever!  Take a moment to enjoy and meditate on the words of the song "Changed Forever" by Toby Mac. 

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will keep Jesus on speed dial, going to Him first in everything.

Where am I relying on human help without committing my ways to God, trusting in Him for healing?

How am I bypassing Jesus' offer for help, missing an opportunity to receive real change?