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Believe beyond my experience
Jeff WeinkaufMark 5:22-23, 35-36
22One of the synagogue [g]officials named Jairus *came up, and on seeing Him, *fell at His feet 23and *implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will [h]get well and live.”….
35While He was still speaking, they *came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” 36But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, *said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only [m]believe.”
Our understanding of our surroundings is shaped, even limited by our understanding of life in the “the natural”. There are things we “know” to be true, proven out through our experiences. The more time we spend living, the more the natural “rules” are solidified in our minds. If we’re not careful, we can trade the ability to believe for greater things for only what we’ve experienced and known.
When I was young, my Dad was superman. There wasn’t any problem I had which he did not have an answer for. When I lived in his home, I rested in his wisdom and was comforted by his covering. You see when we’re younger we tend to have hope beyond circumstances. We are able to believe for bigger things.
Part of the process of sanctification, or growing up in our faith is to rekindle that childlike faith in what God can/will do. Luke 18:17 say’s we have to receive the kingdom as children. With the hope of what God can do.
As an emissary of the kingdom it’s important that I not ONLY rely on my experience in the natural, but also retain my hope in what God can do. Just like building any muscle, exercising my faith is key to its growth. By choosing to trust in God and the possibility not only of answers in the natural, but also answers in the miraculous I am able to grow and deepen my faith. Simply making a decision to say “God I know you can, even if I can’t see how” is a start.
God please help me to use my experience well, and to believe for the possibilities you hold in your hand. Please help me to look past what is impossible in the natural and believe you for what you are doing outside of my understanding. Amen
