Be alert and look for the hand of God blessing your life today.

Text: “Your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Mark 5:34

Scripture Reading: Mark 5:21-43

Reflection:

Our perceptions often become our reality! What we perceive is often what we deem to be authentic and real. In fact, our seeing and our knowing are often limited by our ability to perceive.

In today’s reading from Mark 5, we see that one’s perceptions can make a huge difference in the way a person experiences the presence and power of God….and that faith and belief often come to people in unique and different ways. In our reading, we first meet Jairus…the leader of the synagogue…who was very bold in acting out his need of Jesus’ help for his gravely ill daughter. Certainly, no one in the crowd that was gathered there that day was unaware of his need.

Yet, on the other hand, we also hear about the actions of an unknown and hemorrhaging woman, whose approach to Jesus was the epitome of modesty and restraint. She, like Jairus, knew exactly what she needed….but she approached Jesus very stealthily and inconspicuously. As a matter of fact, most of the crowd never even noticed her.

Yet both found the healing they needed and believed they would experience in Jesus.

Let me pose a challenge to you today. If the two stories in our text this morning are there to model for us what faith and belief look like…..And if both of these stories are there to remind us that there is a God-given, transcendental power in life that is available to us every day…..a God-centered power that can lead us to hope, and healing, and faith…..and to being a person who can love fully, and into being all that we are created and meant to be…….Then my challenge for you is….Are you willing to orient your perception of reality toward such faith and belief?….Are you willing to risk and reach out and grasp the cloak of God like the hemorrhaging woman did?… Are you willing to take the Existential Leap of faith like Jairus did?

My friends….I believe the essence of these healing stories is to remind us that Jesus breaks down the barriers of exclusion and marginalization….That no one is left out…And no one is forgotten………And that God’s purpose is always limitless love, wholeness, health, and abundant and eternal life.

May this be your focus and hope today.

Prayer: Loving God, help us to expect and then perceive your loving kindness and presence in our lives today and everyday. Amen.

Focus for the Day: Be alert and look for the hand of God blessing your life today.

Author: Bob Livingston