Pick Up Your Mat

Over the last hours God has brought to mind many times when He asked people to walk through seemingly impossible circumstances in the scriptures.  My heart has been so broken over the difficult journeys that I witness others traveling down right now, and I have joined with them in prayer and petition to the Father. Where do we go when the journey He is calling us to travel seems like a wrong turn?  The fear grows within and sometimes seems to swell beyond our capabilities.... in panic, we desperately cry out to the Father.  In those moments, we must look to the scriptures in order to be reminded of all that He truly is and capable of doing in all circumstances!

Today, let us look at Matthew 9:1-8.

"Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up and went home! Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority." (Matthew 9:1-8 NLT)

One of the first things I love about this passage of scriptures, is that friends brought this paralyzed man to Jesus.  My friend, isn't that our calling?  We are to bring our friends and family to the feet of Jesus daily by prayer giving their needs to Him.  Sometimes, when the need of one we love is greater than our resources to be a help, discouragement attacks, but the greatest thing we can do is diligently pray for those needs.  By doing so, we are "carrying" them to Jesus!!

 Jesus was so impressed by the faith of this group, He forgave the man His sins.  Now, why didn't He just physically heal the man's paralytic condition?  What good was it to heal the physical, but not the spiritual?  We all long for physical healing, but the spiritual healing is of most importance to the Father.  Many times, He heals us of both- all is possible with Him- but what will last for eternity is our spiritual condition.  Do you believe that God still heals physical needs?  I absolutely do!  My friend, our God is still in the miracle business.  Sometimes, we are so afraid of the disappointment, that we limit our faith in God and all that He is capable of doing in our lives.  We would rather keep Him in a box that we can understand, than be uncomfortable with the unlimited resources and possibilities of living a life immersed in Him.  In the end, we miss out.

Fear and respect for Jesus filled the crowd- they stood in awe of this man.  Suddenly, the full realization that He was so much more than they could ever imagine or comprehend hit them completely.  It is in times of desperate need, that the full revelation of who Jesus is in my life becomes clear and focused.  Sometimes, when we are paralyzed in fear and heartache, God through Christ says, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!"  Stand up out of that pit of fear, anger, hurt and self-pity.  Pick up the mat of all your self- sufficient attempts to cure the situation and come home to Him.  Walk to Him and cling to the only one who is all you really need.  He will not fail you!

Today, I am praying for you my Friend and I know that whatever journey He is calling you down, you are not alone.   He is there and  I am carrying you to Him!