The Lame Story
The first part of Acts chapter 3 shares the story of a man who had never been able to walk and his encounter with Jesus through two disciples, Peter and John. This unnamed man was carried every day to the temple gate where he begged for money. Peter and John came to that temple one day and when he asked them for money this is what Peter said:
“I don’t have silver or gold, but what I do have, I give to you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” Acts 3:6 CSB
Just imagine for a minute that you are praying, even begging, for provision just to get you through the next day and someone comes along offering you a permanent solution to the one thing that has held you back your entire life! The man though the needed money, but Jesus knew he needed more. Forget a few pennies to survive, in an instant this guy didn’t have to beg anymore! When Peter and John told the lame man to get up and walk, the story says he went right into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God for everyone to see what God had done for him.
Sometimes I think I know what I need (or don’t need) and then God gives me what I never expected or dreamed. When my personal life was an absolute mess I thought that caring for my mother in law in her final days on this earth was the last thing I needed to add to the demands on my time and heart, but God knew better and used my dedication to her as a tool to heal so much brokenness in my life. I hoped and prayed to just survive that time, but God taught me that he really does work all things for my good as he gave me so much more than I could have ever imagined. Right now, as I finish graduate school I think I need a job lined up, but I don’t have one yet. Like, I’ve worked my tail off for 2 years on a God-given and God-led dream and my training is coming to an end with no known opportunity to put it to use. What I have to remember is God says “‘I know what you need and will give you exactly that when the time is right.” ’ And when God tells us to get up and walk, even if we’ve never dreamed of doing so, we have to trust him and do it. Then we need to tell our story to God’s glory. It’s not easy to share the good, the bad and the super ugly, but it is only through telling what God has done in us that he can work through usto reach others. There is someone out there who desperately needs to hear your story and there is someone who needs to hear mine. They might even be waiting for us as we walk into work or the gym.
God has unbelievable plans for us to walk in ways we never dreamed. We have to believe that he knows what we need (even better than we do), share with others what we have to give (like Peter and John did), and then tell our story.
Personal reflection:
1. God freed the lame man to walk. What has God freed you from or healed you of in the past?
2. What opportunity do you have to share this redemption with others?
3. Sometimes God asks us to do something that seems impossible, like to get up and walk when you’ve never taken a step in your entire life. Have you ever felt God asking you to do the unimaginable? Talk about how you responded.
