“Choose to Get Up”
By
Jeannine Sawall
“…I
tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front
of them, took what he had been laying on and went home praising God.
Mark
2:11 (NIV)
It had probably started
as just another day for the man with the mat. Wake up and lie
there. Same ol’, same ol’ but what else was he to do…he was paralyzed.
However, what started out as an ordinary day soon presented him with choices
that would change his life.
Sometime during the
day, friends showed up wanting to take him to see Jesus. Rumor had it,
Jesus was healing the sick. He could have chosen to just stay home that day and
send his friends on their way. After all, what were the odds that after
being paralyzed for so long, he would be healed? But he made the choice to
go! When they got to the house, the crowds were so big, they could not get
anywhere near Jesus. Should they just give up and go home? How would
they ever get near him…it seemed impossible? But they made the choice to press
in and find a way to Jesus. Finally, the man is face-to-face with the
Healer. Jesus, seeing his faith, tells the man to “take up your mat and go
home.” The paralytic had a final choice to make…would he believe the
Healer and get up, or would he choose to stay lying there on his mat. We’re
told “Immediately, he stood up, took up his mat and went home praising
God.” His choices brought him total healing, both of body and in spirit by
having an intimate encounter with the Healer.
We face similar choices
each and every day. What may start out as an ordinary day may hold an
extraordinary outcome when we choose to meet with Jesus. Each of us has
something in our life that paralyzes us. It could be fear, anger, a broken
relationship, depression, addiction, bitterness…the list is long. However,
the Healer is waiting for us to come. He reaches out His hand and says
“Get off your mat and go….” We have the choice to continue to lie there
and remain paralyzed in our current situation, or to get up. When we make the
choice to get up to see Jesus, no matter the difficulties, He is more than able
and willing to change our circumstances if we just press in. Suddenly, we are
no longer lying there paralyzed, but on our feet, on our way and praising the
Lord.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What situation in
your life paralyzes you?
2. How will you choose
to respond to Jesus when He says, “Take up your mat and go?”
FURTHER READING:
Jeannine
is a wife and mother of four active boys. She works in the property management
business. Jeannine is actively involved in ministry to those walking through
grief.
