Do You Want To Be Healed?

“Do you want to be healed?” were the words I heard God whisper in my heart shortly after the doctor told me I had a growth that manifested the potential of being malignant. The question took me by surpise. Did I honestly want to be healed, or was I ready to check-out of all the mayhem here, and cross over into heaven’s glory?

As I pondered the question still echoing in each heartbeat,  it dawned on me that this was the same question Jesus asked the sick man at the pool of Bethesda who had been severely ill for 38 years. “When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been in that condition now a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” – (John 5:6)

I find it thought provoking that Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be healed before Jesus took action on his behalf. I realized that it was the sick man’s choice. Did he want to stay in his familiar routine or did he want change? What if Jesus didn’t heal him? It is so easy to take the familiar and “safe” route. At its core, it took faith for the man to reach out and respond.

The question “Do you want to be healed?” kept turning in my mind. I did not answer the question immediately, nor did I  answer the question lightly.

I pondered the beauty of heaven and the joy of being free from the burdens and pain of this world.  I smiled at the joy of once again hugging my loved ones who have gone  before me.  I also cried. Tears streamed down my face as I thought of the pain and sadness that my depature would cause for my loved ones that I’d be leaving behind.

I weighed it over carefully as I contemplated how nice it would be to not have to worry about work, money, shelter,  politics, and the many  burdens of life. I also pondered the spiritual responsibilities that still laid heavy on my heart. I thought of those who still needed to find the peace of God in their lives before it was too late for them. I didn’t want to fail them. I didn’t want to see a loved one, a friend, or any soul, be eternally lost in hell because I dropped the ball in being faithful in leading them to Christ. 

I thought of  the words of the Apostle Paul, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Then I  heard the question again,  “Do you want to be healed?”

Choices. God gives us choices. He says to redeem the time because the days are evil.  He instructs us to commit our ways to Him. He says to share the wonderful news of His redemptive story to every corner of the world. And, we have choices each day to deliver on those divine directives.

After careful pondering and praying, I have an answer.

God, you have placed a decision in front of me. And, I must answer your question: do I want to be healed?

Yes, God, my answer is yes. For the sake of your ministry and the salvation of others, of family,  of loved ones, and of friends, Lord, please heal me.

God may today be the beginning of a new era of me living a life dedicated to serving you.  May I  be a beacon that points souls to heaven. May a true revival and awakening start in my own life, then spread to my family and friends. God, may your Holy Prensence sweep this country and spread throughout the world. 

My Father-Daddy, who is in heaven, hallowed, holy, and sacred be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth and in my heart as it is in heaven. Amen.