Reaching

My littlest one, at 6 months, has mastered rolling over, scooting and is displaying a tenacity for acquiring what he wants. To encourage him, I put things just out of his reach, and make him work to get it. I know in the long run, this will encourage him to crawl, but to an outsider, I can see how this would be perceived as cruel. Hearing his little voice grunt, while his legs flail and he tries to get his hand, which only cooperates 70% of the time, to move toward the object of desire, is obviously a struggle for him. Often, he looks at me, squinches up his whole face and lets out a displeased cry. I usually respond by coming in close, with a big smile and telling him, "You got it, buddy. You can do it. Just reach for it."

Looking at him, reaching out in earnest for what he wants, my heart is drawn to Mark 5:25-34, where we read about the woman who bled for 12 years.  I've read her story dozens of times, but I imagine it went something like this: She was on her way home, trying to stay out of everyone's way, subtly whispering "unclean" to anyone who got too close. Suddenly, there was a crowd coming down the street, and she started to panic, wondering how she was going to get around it. Maybe she could stand in an alley and wait for it to pass. Then, she saw Jesus. She'd heard of Jesus! In that moment, she just knew in her spirit that if she just could touch the hem of his robe, her suffering would be no more. At the risk of punishment from religious leaders, she pressed into the crowd. She bit her tongue as she moved toward Him, refusing to let this moment pass by her. He seemed in a hurry, and there wasn't much time, so she stretched her hand out, fingers splayed, reaching with all her might.... Her fingertips grazed his clothes and !!!!!!! For the first time, in 12 years, relief. It took everything she had to keep from exposing herself, from laughing and sobbing and grabbing the nearest person, saying, "Do you know what just happened?"

"Who touched me?" The color drained from her face, her exuberance stifled by Jesus' question. The crowd stopped, everyone asking what was happening. The disciples, confused, looked at Jesus and said, "Umm, there's a whole crowd following you to Jairus' house. It could have been anyone. Why is this important?"

But no, Jesus wouldn't take another step without knowing who had grabbed him, and a little girl was dying waiting for him. 12 years of suffering, only to likely be stoned to death for stealing the power of God. She stepped forward and fell at his feet, hoping to land on his mercy. She was trembling with fear, stammering the story of the last 12 years, and how every doctor she'd been to made things worse. She told him that she saw him and knew He carried the power of God, and she didn't have time to ask him, but just knew in her heart she would be healed if she just touched him, and... and...

"Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free from your suffering." Then Jesus and the crowd went on their way, leaving her gobsmacked, wiping away her tears, free in body and soul.

I think more of us have encounters with Jesus in our lives that are like this than we think. We're just trying to make it through the day, largely ignoring the gnawing in our hearts and minds of our current status, whatever it may be. Suddenly, we see God's hand move in someone's life, and it reminds us that He can move in ours too. We are then left with a choice: We either follow the inclination that says, "I should reach for what I think He has for me," or we follow the sarcastic undertone of the world that suggests these are simply carrots being dangled in front of our faces to keep us following along, never receiving the satisfaction that our souls and bodies long for. If there's one thing this woman's story has taught me, it's this, Jesus doesn't have time to dangle our heart's deepest desires in front of us, but He may absolutely put them just outside of ourselves and ask us to reach, and reach with all that we have, believing that it's worth the risk, worth the work and worth the growth. 

Many people I know are in seasons where they hear the Father asking, "Do you want this? Come get it." A couple friends picked up their family and moved to Nebraska last week. Another is accepting a dream job and relocating their family to Australia for 3 years. Even my little family is being asked to reach beyond our hangups and in faith take hold of Abba's blessing, which has been confirmed again and again over our lives. Could the Father have just provided all his blessing within our current situations if He wanted to? Absolutely; But like I'm encouraging my littlest to move, He's teaching us how to press into trust and grow beyond our current capacity. I believe He has the same in mind for you.

Abba, so many of us see you as Lucy from Peanuts, who will show us the football and then pull it away when we go to kick it. I thank you that you are a God who when your children ask for bread, You do not give them a stone. Give us the confidence this woman from your gospel had, that You are filled with goodness, and all we have to do is reach for what You put in front of us, and we shall find satisfaction. I ask that you allow the gnawing thoughts and feelings surface, and place discontent in the hearts of those you're calling into growth, that they would risk reaching. I ask for encouragers to surround them and repeat Your heart over them, "You can do it! Keep reaching! You almost have it!" Let these experiences draw Your people closer to Your heart, and the peace, relief, and faith gained would leave those surrounding us in awe. In Jesus name, amen.

I couldn't find the name of the artist, so if anyone knows who they might be, please let me know so I can give them credit.