Scripture: Mark 9:23
“‘If you can?’”, said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
Observation:
A man wants Jesus to heal his son if He can. Jesus responds by showing him that everything is possible for those who believe.
Application:
“Yes We Can!!” I remember well the crowd in New Hampshire chanting that at Barack Obama’s 2008 concession speech as Hilary Clinton won that primary. It was a very moving speech — and I’m not even an Obama supporter!! “Yes We Can!!” became a part of Obama’s campaign from that point forward. There wasn’t a major stop where his supporters weren’t chanting it and believing it.
How many times have I been asked to serve for the Lord and said, “Yes I Can!!” More importantly how many times have I said, “umm..i don’t think so.” Now I’m not saying that I should say yes every time I’m asked to serve. But there are enough times when I haven’t prayerfully considered the request. So many doubts start to plague my mind: Will I have time? Do I have the skills to do that? What if I mess it up? I’m not very comfortable doing that. Why can’t they ask someone else?!?!
I can almost hear Jesus shouting, “Yes You Can — Through Me!!” He tells us that everything is possible if we just believe. That doesn’t mean everything will happen the way we want it when we ask Him. But, it becomes possible if we do ask Him because He is God. Just imagine Him chanting, “Yes You Can!!” when we come to Him. He will give us everything and everyone we need to complete the task if we just believe.
I can look back and see times where I didn’t believe and missed opportunities. And times where I didn’t believe Jesus when He was cheering “Yes You Can!” for someone else — and I took the task meant for them. I can also look back at some of the tasks I’ve done and know that He was totally in the mix. I can see the people He sent to help or encourage me. I can hear the answered prayer as I went to Him for guidance.
Prayer:
Lord, You are eternal. You saw everything before it ever was or will be. I’ll never fully understand what that means and I praise You because of it. Please forgive me for the times I didn’t come to You for answers when I had opportunities to serve. Forgive me for opportunities missed and those I took that weren’t mine to have. Jesus, thank You for the times when You cheered, “Yes You Can!!” and encouraged me to do Your work. Thank You for giving me the skills needed for the job, the people needed to help me, and sending others to encourage me just when I needed it. Thank You also for those times You were silent so that I wouldn’t take someone else’s work. Spirit, help me to believe! Help me to prayerful consider all options and listen for Your answer.
Well written, Sister.