In John 5:6 Jesus asks an invalid of 38 years, “…Do you want to get well?” He responded by saying no one would help him into the pool and someone always gets ahead of him. So Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” The man was cured, picked up his mat and walked away.
Jesus often heals us as a response to our faith. But what about this guy? Seemingly no faith required–just the simple command to get up and walk, incredible.
Actually though, there was something there that day….His Presence. That invalid surely must of felt His Presence to have responded the way he did. I’ve come to the place in my life that when I’m praying, whether it be for healing, wisdom or for someone’s pet cat to return home, I want His Presence all the time before me. Not just a simple awareness, but an understanding of the reality of it.
When I sit before the Lord and invite His Presence, though I say nothing, things happen. Things I’m not even aware of until later in the day or week. It’s amazing.
As we train people to ready themselves for the field, connecting with His Presence is a must.
His Presence…don’t leave home without it.
