Instantly
I like things to be on time or early. I use our microwave oven to cook quickly. We purchased an “Insta-pot” a few years ago to add to our arsenal of quick cooking. Even though I cook with a microwave, it’s takes minutes or seconds to cook. When I think of the word “instantly” – I think immediate. I think children operate in an “instant” world. They want what they want, and they want it instantly. I’m a little more patient than that!
I don’t think a lot about instant healing. I remember as I worked through forgiveness of a super hurtful situation, that healing was quick, but it didn’t feel “instant”. As I think about the scene where Jesus heals a guy from the dreaded skin disease of leprosy – instant healing really stuns me. Check this out….
1Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. 2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”
3 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” (Matthew 8:1-4 NLT)
I was also struck by “if you are willing” – there was deep humility all over this guy. He was at the mercy of Jesus. He was an outcast because of the leprosy. He was already violating the proper protocol for having the disease. He was to be quarantined from anyone without the disease. When people were diagnosed with leprosy, their normal lives were over. They couldn’t be around their family. They couldn’t work a normal job. There was now a stigma that would follow them the rest of their lives – BUT Jesus changed all of that – instantly!!
I am talking to the Lord this morning about changes in my heart that need instant healing. I need His Power and His Presence to make the changes. He can do amazing things with a humble and surrendered heart. I know He is willing to heal my heart. I know He is strong enough. There are times when I want the hurting to stop instantly. There are times when I want the suffering to stop instantly. I’m learning that God’s timing is not always the same as mine. I will surrender to His timing, but I love instant healing!
Pressing On!
Dwayne