Found WaitingSample

WEAK -

Picture this: The sound of scrambling feet awoke him from his afternoon slumber. The waters were being stirred again. Desperation caught his breath as his eyes widened. This time, he was close to the pool. He had found a piece of shade under a small bush previously owned by a man suffering with blindness. Old age had claimed the poor man’s life and a bit of sadness arose in his heart as he remembered his friend who suffered by his side. If he could just get in the pool fast enough, his troubles would be gone. He struggled to sit up, trying to drag his heavy and burdensome legs into a sitting position. His weak arms buckled under the weight of his upper body while the sound of splashing water dissipated his desire for healing. It had been days since he had had a morsel of bread, and it had been even longer since the last time the water stirred up. How long it would take for the next stirring, he did not know. In his anguish, he whimpered softly. “Do you want to be made well?” A Man, unlike he’d ever seen before posed the question. Of course, he wanted to be made well! But he quickly explained why he could not be. The Man ignored his excuse, suggesting a new solution he’d never thought about before: “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”

What do you think about these questions?

• When you’ve waited a long time for healing or breakthrough, what emotions or doubts surface in your heart?
• How does Jesus’ response to the man at the pool show you that God’s timing and method may look different from what you expect?