The Man Born Lame

A friend called yesterday and asked that I pray for a young lady….lots of reasons, all of which would break your heart as a mom. The first thing I thought of was how I could rescue her, what I could give her, how I could fix her situation.

How many times do I say, “Oh you bet, I’ll pray for her,” all the while thinking of ways I can bail out the person I’ve been asked to pray for.

In Acts 3, Peter and John were on their way to the temple. A man who had been lame since birth sat daily at the gate of the temple asking for money. Conversation stopped. Peter and John stopped. Peter fixed his gaze on the man and said, “Look at us!”

The man gave them his full attention, expecting money but Peter said ,”I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have, I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene….walk!” And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. And with a leap, he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God!”

Am I like the disciples? Nope. I would have said, “Here buddy, get on my back…I’ll take you to my car and we’ll go see someone who can fix you up with a wheelchair. Then we’ll go over and get the paperwork filled out so you can get disability. Then we’ll swing by the orthopedist and get another opinion on your legs and I’ll feed you lunch while we’re out.”

Do I ever say, “I can fix everything wrong with you on the outside but you know what? If you don’t know Jesus, you’ll still not have the peace of God that passes all understanding, you’ll still not have wisdom that comes from above, you’ll still not have security knowing that God lives within you and is closer than a brother, that He loves you unconditionally, that He will meet your every need, that all things will work together for good because you are His child.”

So in the end, if I fix everything and walk away, what have I given him that isn’t temporary?

I need to remember that I am a child of the King and have the incredible privilege of coming right into His presence at any time. I can walk right into that throne room where He sits in all His majesty, absolutely overwhelmed with the awesome prospect of just being in His company and knowing I have His ear, His full attention.

Isaiah saw the Lord, “sitting on the throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. The seraphim were calling out to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.” And the foundations of the thresholds trembled while the temple was filling with smoke.”

And WE’RE RELATED!! I’M HIS CHILD! He tells me in Hebrews 4, “Since we have a great high priest, Jesus, the Son of God, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.”

I can bring my friend’s young lady right up to the throne of God. Jesus sits on His right hand as my Advocate. Can you imagine? He’s known this girl since before she was born, He knows all about her family, about her heart, her finances…..everything! And He has the power evaluate all the components, make the best decision… to effect change. Lasting….change.

So why isn’t that my kneejerk response? “Oh man….give me a few minutes. Let me take this straight to my Father. He is so smart! I’ll be right back.” Then…only then…..if he tells me to help out in material ways, I will.

That’s exactly what Peter did. Exactly. Peter not only was used to change this man’s life for…ev…er, think of the countless lives the man born lame impacted. “God is real! He reached down and touched ME! He didn’t just give me pocket change, a wheelchair, disability, a physical exam, He gave me a LIFE!”

How in the world could we possibly settle for less. What an incredible resource at our very fingertips.

Lord, open my eyes….open my eyes to see You!