“… there appeared a woman with a spirit, that had crippled her for eighteen years. When he saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’” “… immediately she stood up straight and began praising God” (vs. 12-13). Today, she probably is the most famous unnamed woman, along with the woman at the well in the Bible, because of her great faith.
“Cat,” shuffled into the dorm for the intellectually challenged, where I worked the night shift. She greeted me, mumbling about a poem she had written that she wanted to read to me. She was a middle-aged, born with cerebral palsy with a brilliant mind. Her parents institutionalized and abandoned her as a child, assuming that she belonged there with the rest of the patients. Years later, the staff realized her intellect restored her independence, though she was a ward of the state. She would never leave the institution because she had no family.
At first all I heard was gibberish, but as I listened carefully, her sounds were actually words-- beautiful, poetic, words. She had a voice. I realized that I was in the presence of a beautiful soul trapped in a twisted body. And yet with determination and her deep faith in Jesus Christ, she was “set free (v. 12), as her soul “stood up straight" (v. 13). I too was transformed by having known this wonderful woman, 47 years ago, who uttered words of inspiration to all who would listen.
What self-imposed barriers do you carry which prevent you from standing up straight. When Jesus calls you over, have you given Him permission to lift you up? Remember that you are “set free” to “praise God” (v. 13) from the one who offers you His overwhelming grace.
Blessing: “Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing,…” (Jude 1:24). Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment