“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:14-16
Dear God, here’s my problem. The examples I’ve seen in my life, even from the Bible, who have exhibited great faith have always seemed on the fringe of being a little kooky, or just downright kooky. I guess as I’m reading these verses this morning, combining them with a podcast I just listened to, and wondering why I do or don’t do some of the things that would be a light shining for you.
For context, I read these verses this morning and started thinking about them a little. Then a friend sent me a link to a podcast called Cultural Catalyst. The pastor was interviewing a woman named Jamila Page about diversity in the church and in the body of Christ. It was a really great conversation which I enjoyed. But the part of the interview that generated a visceral reaction out of me was the beginning when she told the story of being supernaturally healed from an affliction. If accurately told (and I have no reason to not believe her–in fact, I do believe her), it was truly a miracle. I’ve witnessed such miracles in the past. So why do I hear something like this and immediately raise up my guard? Why is it that I had to hear the rest of her interview for her to have credibility with me?
I’ll go back to the thing I started with: kooky. I’ve known a lot of people who actively preached “healing” that were a little kooky. Even those who aren’t preaching healing, I’ve known just some kooky “Jesus Freaks.” Probably the first example of this I see in the Bible is actually Abraham. If he had been my father–if I had been Isaac or Ishmael–I would have been skeptical of you. His acts of faith would have seemed incredibly impulsive and nutty to me:
- Leave family and clan and head off into the wilderness
- Any given decision he made regarding Sarai/Sarah and Hagar, including Pharaoh and the sister thing.
- Taking Isaac off to sacrifice him
His acts of faith and hearing your voice must have seemed crazy to his family and slaves. For other examples there are, of course, televangelists who, well, ’nuff said. I’ve been to charismatic churches before that seem to attract those who are, well, let’s just say their personalities are not in the middle of the societal spectrum.
So back to this healing thing. I asked my wife over breakfast why I don’t invoke healing more and embrace it as a normal part of my faith and prayer time. One of the things we came up with is that, at least for ourselves, we aren’t convinced that any pain or physical ailment we are experiencing isn’t something that you need for us to experience. Should the illness I have result in my death or discomfort? Maybe. Probably. Who am I to ask otherwise?
Then there are others. I have a woman at my job who is experiencing great discomfort. I’ve prayed for her relief and that the doctors would be able to help her, but I told my wife this morning that I haven’t bothered to ask you, directly, for her immediate healing. Why not?
Father, Holy Spirit, I’m going to make the rest of this prayer about my coworker. I ask that you please move through her body. Touch it right now, on this Saturday morning at 9:00am her time, to touch her, heal her, and make her whole. Holy Spirit, move now, please. For her sake, but also for your glory’s sake. Of course, I don’t want to ask for anything out of your will. So I ask that you please will it. Please heal her. Help her to feel your presence. Help her to feel your smile. And whether your will it or not, help her life (and my life as well) to be lights for others to be drawn to you.
In Jesus’s name I come and boldly ask this prayer,
Amen
Emails to God 