By Toni Ford
Have you ever felt like giving up? I am sure we all have at some point in our lives. Depending on their situation, some people have had to battle this thought on a daily basis. In the Gospel of Mark, we find a group of men that were faced with this same challenge based on the circumstances they saw in front of them.
Mark 2: 2-5 says, “Soon the house where Jesus was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.” I love this story and the truths this story reveals about never giving up.
Never limit your vision. These men saw the crowd that surrounded Jesus in and outside the house where He was preaching. Who knows if they would have ever been able to see Jesus if they had waited for the crowd to leave or waited in line for the crowd to disappear? Based on the condition of the paralyzed man, who knows if he could have waited that long as well. The men saw what seemed like an impossible situation with their human eyes but with their spiritual eyes they saw freedom and healing for their friend. Their vision was not limited by their circumstances! Where are you feeling defeated based on the circumstances in front of you? Ask the Lord to help you see with your spiritual eye and not just your physical eye.
Never stop pursuing your goal/vision. These men had one goal in mind – to get their friend to Jesus so Jesus could heal him. They were determined to find a way to reach their goal and see it come to pass. They were not distracted by everything else going on in the house and all the people outside the house but instead they were determined and committed to find a way to reach their goal. What goal or vision have you quit pursuing but need to pick back up?
Never stop believing in the impossible. This is only accomplished through Jesus Christ. His word tells us that “nothing is impossible with God,” (Luke 1:37). Our part is to have faith that He can do the impossible. These men had that kind of faith. They believed that if they could just get their paralyzed friend to Jesus, then Jesus would heal him. Not only did Jesus heal him but He also saved him! Renew your faith in Jesus and don’t stop believing that He can do the impossible in your own life!
People who see with an expanded vision, constantly pursue their goals and keep their faith in God are people who have learned the art of roof removal! Lord, may we be this kind of person!
If you would like for me to join you in prayer please email me at tonif77@gmail.com and I would love to pray for you.