Waiting for God to work in our lives can be a slow, agonizing season. The holding-pattern of patience isn’t easy regardless of whether we seek healing from sickness, restoring of a broken relationship, a much needed job, or direction for the next phase of life. Looking for the end of our crisis can occupy so much of our attention that we fail to look to God for anything other than a resolution of the immediate crisis. But what comes after the healing? Is our focus solely limited to finding relief so that we can get back to our routine? Are our hearts set on sliding back to where we once were as if the struggle we now endure is only a construction site delay on the road of life?
We can learn something from Bartimaeus, a blind man who found healing and direction for his life in Jesus (Mark 10:46-52). Bartimaeus sought healing from Christ refusing to be ignored or set aside by the crowd and his persistence paid off. Gaining an audience with Jesus, he presented his plea for sight and Jesus granted the request telling him, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.” A close look at his response reveals a man who sought healing and found a new path in life. As Jesus gave him sight He said, “Go your way…” As Bartimaeus recovered his sight, he “…followed Him on the way.” Jesus’ way became Bartimaeus’ way.
Its what we do after the healing that reveals the condition of our heart before we come to Jesus. Are we seeking a relationship with the Savior or a drive-by solution to the problem of the moment? Who we are and what we do after the healing discloses whether we wish to serve Christ or be served by Him. Bartimaeus isn’t the only example we have in the gospels of people demonstrating their faith and commitment to Christ after being healed. Peter’s mother-in-law was healed of a sickness and immediately arose to serve Jesus and his disciples (Mark 1:29-31). The man from whom Jesus cast out a demon returned home to the Decapolis testifying to the saving power of Jesus (Mark 1:20). Of ten lepers healed and sent back to their homes and families, only one returned to Jesus to offer thanks and worship Him (Luke 17:11-19).
Until Jesus comes again there will always be another crisis moment ahead of us. In the course of the days to come, you and I will eventually go to Jesus for rescue from life’s circumstances. Do we simply want to be touched by grace so we can get on with our lives or do we want to be changed by grace so we can follow Him? What we do after the healing reveals much about our faithfulness to Christ.
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