Like Her ...

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She knew the danger. The risk.

But she also knew there was nothing to lose, but her life.

There was nowhere to turn on the street that day. No way to move unseen, untouched, although wholly uninvited. We don't know her name. Rather, we're told of her condition. The identity (label) is painted on her by the author of the story--The woman with the issue of blood--as if it's the only name we need to know.

She was unclean and should have been outside the city, or far off, yelling, "Unclean" to any who might approach. She'd lost everything--her dignity, livelihood, savings ... she had nothing to lose.

That day, news spread that the Teacher was passing by. The crowd grew beyond the street's capacity. People pressing into the fray to try and get close. The Teacher was surrounded by His disciples, closed in on all sides. Jairus, a synagogue ruler, managed to navigate the chaos to get nearer to the Teacher. But he had his crew helping push past those "less important" than a leader of the faith. The Teacher focused on the man's request and chose to follow the man to his home.

The woman couldn't have heard the urgent plea of a desperate father. She was on a quest of her own. To get to the Teacher, against all odds, breaking through the obstacles. "If only I could touch the hem of His garment, I'll be healed," she thought (Mark 5: 25 - 34; Luke 8:43 - 48).

If ONLY ...

Have you ever thought that?

• If only I could like what I see in the mirror ...
• If only I didn't feel so lonely ...
• If only I knew God loved me ...
• If only I were healthy ...
• If only I weren't broke ...
• If only I were dealt a better hand ...

The list is endless, and I am sure there are "if only" wishes I won't think of but are prominent in your heart.

The beauty of this story found in the Gospels, is the promise that follows. The woman, against all odds, makes her way through the bustling crowd and touches the hem of His garment. What follows is where our identity becomes what it is destined to be.

"... she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment ... immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, "Who touched Me?" 

And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.

And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

Isn't that beautiful? Jesus did not address her as afflicted, but daughter. He did not condemn her because she came, uninvited and unlawfully, into the town square amidst a throng of people. He blessed and healed her. He did not tell her to go wash, become acceptable first before coming to Him. Instead, He touched her heart and called her faith-filled.

Some afflictions are more psychological than physical. Some are borne of abusive pasts, insecurity, poor parenting, bullying, or struggles related to learning disabilities. Some can be considered reflex reactions to traumatic experiences like job losses, failure, economic collapse, fear, or injury. The possibilities ... BUT Jesus is not limited by labels, PTSD, or public/private shame.

I recently heard a woman ask for prayer as she fights to forgive herself, and fights to overcome the effects of past decisions, and is determined to overcome the voices in her head that tell her she'll never be free of guilt. It sounded so much like this woman who reached for the hem of Jesus' garment, that I know she will hear--and embrace--the words, "Daughter, your faith has set you free of this affliction."

One could remove the label "daughter" and replace it with "son". Jesus is not one to discount one's affliction over another's, regardless of gender, race, or age. If it makes a difference, simply add your name to this identity. "Daughter, ______ ...", "Son, ______ ..."

Like this woman, we can rejoice with the following:

If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me," even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You. 

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. 

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. 

My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. 

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You. 

~Psalm 139: 11 - 18 NKJV

Whatever the affliction, the lie, or obstacles in our path; Jesus is more than able to free us. Reach for Him. Don't let go. And never apologize for our unending need for His strength, healing, and touch. It doesn't matter how crowded life is or how many things are on our plate. What matters is our humble cry for help, even in the crowded room of our mind.

What have we got to lose?

We have everything to gain, in Jesus!

Dressed in White

I was talking with my son, and during our conversation was reminded of a dream I had during my early days as a follower of Christ. 

I'd awakened in darkness. My skin felt heavy with filth, and the clothing on my back might as well have been prickers. There was no escaping the sense of a growing presence intent on suffocation and death.

My cloudy mind cleared enough to remember a respected relative telling me of Jesus' love and mercy. All I needed to do was call on His name and He would save me.

As soon as I asked for Him to come, a calming presence replaced the heaviness that hovered. Courage increased and I was able to step forward. Although unable to see where I was headed, I could hear a gentle whisper encouraging me to take another step. And another. It wasn’t long and I could see a light in the distance, and somehow knew that was my destination.

I couldn’t tell you how long I walked, following the light or hearing the voice. I have no idea whether a shift in time occurred, or if there was a break in the dream; but at some point in time, I realized I was no longer wearing filthy clothes. It was a gown of sorts. It was soft, flowing, and fit better than any piece of clothing I'd ever worn. As I drew closer to the light, I could make out every detail.

It was a wedding gown, like something out of a Cinderella story. I don’t know where the gown came from, and I also knew that there was no way I would ever be able to afford this most elaborate piece of artwork.

As I drew closer to the light, I would look down to admire this gown. I could begin to pick out details such as the sequins and the lace that would cover the torso the pure white satin. I noticed the unthinkable. There was a tiny spot on the skirt of this dress. I had to stop to scrub it out, but no amount of scrubbing would get it. Jesus called to me, compelling me to come closer to the light. As I did, this spot grew, and darkness growled, grabbing for me. My heart began to break. I couldn’t imagine, completing my journey to the bright light ahead of me with such a soiled gown, but Jesus once again compelled me forward.

There came a point in time when I stopped my progression. The stains were so bad and my heartache was so great. I just couldn’t bear the thought of seeing this beautiful white gown smeared in black like that darkness that I had been coming out of.

But the Voice of Jesus called out to me and compelled me yet again to come forward. I couldn’t and I told Him so. It was breaking my heart. I really wanted to come to Him, but I couldn’t. I had tried bleach wipes. I had tried soap and water. I had tried all of the tricks that people had told me over the years past and nothing worked. He called me and held out His hand.

I had a decision to make.

I could go to him with all of my hurt and filth and risk His rejection when He sees my tragic condition. Or I could sit and allow the darkness to once again cover me.

I chose to go forward.

The risk of rejection was great. But my desperation for His love and healing touch was greater.

I took another step. And then another.

And I continued to move forward until I took his hand. He drew me into his embrace, and as He did, I could see all of the filth, all of the stains of my poor decisions, every hurtful word spoken over me, every scheme of darkness to keep me bound ... dissolve and fade away. The gown was once again dazzling white.

It’s been many years since that dream. Yet, I remember it as though it was just last night. I also remember being so loved, forgiven, and cared for.

In Scripture, Jesus says come to Him with our burdens and find rest. (Matthew 11: 28; 1 Peter 5:7)

The Lord also says that He is coming for a bride without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5: 25 - 27). 

As I considered the dream, I thought about the spots, and how they mattered. It was comforting to think about the compassion of our Lord, who will finish the work He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6).

As we surrender our hearts and our lives to Christ, placing our hand in His and allowing Him to embrace us, all of the spots, and wrinkles will fade, and all the Father sees is a radiant white that Jesus wears.

And so my friends take hold of His hand, His garment ... allow Him to take hold of you and never let go.

Our lives depend on it.

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