The active ingredient of faith is action.

The story is told of a woman who had been subjected to bleeding for twelve years. “She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all that she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.” (Mark 5:26) Imagine this lady’s dilemma, spending all her wealth to get rid of her ailment and yet having nothing to show for it. It was indeed pathetic.

Sick and broke, she had nowhere else to turn to. She was on the verge of throwing in the towel when she heard about Jesus, the Nazarene, who performed miracles, signs and wonders. She was convinced that Jesus could change her story. Who would not have fallen for this option under such circumstances? In her desperation, she had no other route to take for this would have been her last-ditch effort. If she had missed that opportunity, that would have been it.

Come to think of it, it was not an easy route in the light of the experiences she had been through. There were mountains to climb and customs to break. Besides, she was a woman and women do not have easy access to rabbis, let alone Master Jesus; at least that was what she thought. Equally proscribed was her getting close to others because she was considered unclean. With these two obstacles already in her way, getting through this ordeal seemed an impossibility. But she had made up her mind: “If I can touch His clothes, I will be healed.” (Mark 5:28)

So, she braced herself up one day, found her way through the thick crowd that usually thronged Jesus; came up behind Him and touched His clothes. That was all she wanted. Immediately, her bleeding dried up. Mission accomplished, she was about slipping through the crowd when she heard: “Who touched my clothes?” ‘Ridiculous!’ cried the disciples. ‘Master how can you ask who touched Your clothes with all these people around You?’ But Jesus insisted because He felt some power had gone out of Him. The woman could not hide any longer; she “… came and fell at His feet and, trembling with fear, told Him the whole truth.” (Mark 5: 33) “Daughter, Jesus said, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

What hurt or pain have you been nursing all these years, despite all the shame and torment? Take it to Jesus! When you seek Him you will find Him; if you seek Him with all your heart! He promises that He will not send anyone away who genuinely comes to Him. This woman seized the opportunity and she found her peace that the devil had denied her all these years.

Shalom!