I broke open my birthday pinata and fought back the tears when I found that my husband had filled it with the gift that I had desired most. Though far too generous–with this gift I could finally pay for something I believed would bring me the greatest of happiness.
The excitement of my birthday treasure still fresh on my mind, I awoke this morning ready to do research–to get the ball rolling–on this the greatest of gifts. Until a story of two blind men–found during my morning scripture study–took hold on my heart.
And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
Hearing these words I said, “Yes Lord, please open my eyes that I might see.” And with this simple request, spoken over my morning grapefruit, a change began inside of me. I began to see.
It was with this sight that I pondered the story found in John 5. The story of the pool at Bethesda where lay a great multitude of impotent folk, waiting for an angel to trouble the water that they might step into it and be made whole.
And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
This has always been one of my favorite stories. So much so that a depiction of it hangs on my wall. And today it left me to wonder–wilt I be made whole?
Will I continue to wait with a troubled heart for the troubled waters–the empty promises of the world, promises that will surely lead me back again and again, infirmities still intact, to the Pool at Bethesda?
Or will I Rise, believing my Savior when He tells me it is possible, and take up my bed and walk?
For now–with my birthday treasure tucked safely away–I will walk in His footsteps and study His words until, when He comes to me to say, “Wilt thou be made whole?” I, rejoicing in His glory, can answer–
Yes. Through Thee, my Savior, I will be made whole and I will take up my bed–
and soar.
