One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about the Lame Man. If you recall in that story, Jesus asked the Lame Man if he wanted to get well. I thought that was an odd question for Jesus to ask. I thought surely the man wanted to get well or he wouldn’t be hanging out by the pool, hoping someone would push him in. I think the reason Jesus specifically asked the man if he wanted to get well was two-fold. The first reason Jesus asked the question was because He knew the lame man was going to have to do some work. Jesus knew He was going to ask the man to “pick up his mat and walk.” So the man had to be invested enough that he was willing to participate in his own healing. But the other reason I think Jesus asked the question was because Jesus knew this was going to change the man’s identity. He was no longer going to be the lame man. He was going to have to work for a living. He couldn’t take handouts anymore. He was going to be a freed, healed, and whole man. Jesus wanting the man’s participation. There is definitely a part we have to play. While we have a part to play, part of the way we do that is to stay in His word, to pray, and to be obedient to His prompting. “May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG)As you are thinking about the changes you need to make in your life and reflecting on how you want to be different and to become more like Christ, I encourage you, be in His word. But take some of that weight and pressure off your shoulders and remember that God will do the changing.
You are not alone. Be still.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about the Lame Man. If you recall in that story, Jesus asked the Lame Man if he wanted to get well. I thought that was an odd question for Jesus to ask. I thought surely the man wanted to get well or he wouldn’t be hanging out by the pool, hoping someone would push him in. I think the reason Jesus specifically asked the man if he wanted to get well was two-fold. The first reason Jesus asked the question was because He knew the lame man was going to have to do some work. Jesus knew He was going to ask the man to “pick up his mat and walk.” So the man had to be invested enough that he was willing to participate in his own healing. But the other reason I think Jesus asked the question was because Jesus knew this was going to change the man’s identity. He was no longer going to be the lame man. He was going to have to work for a living. He couldn’t take handouts anymore. He was going to be a freed, healed, and whole man. Jesus wanting the man’s participation. There is definitely a part we have to play. While we have a part to play, part of the way we do that is to stay in His word, to pray, and to be obedient to His prompting. “May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG)As you are thinking about the changes you need to make in your life and reflecting on how you want to be different and to become more like Christ, I encourage you, be in His word. But take some of that weight and pressure off your shoulders and remember that God will do the changing.