Healing, miracles, and salvation.
That’s what I imagined I would see abundantly during my first month in Northern Africa. Then on my first day of work, I saw a man named Mohammed healed from a limp in his leg after being prayed over. Yet, that was the extent of it. No gathering of people coming to see, no following of people with the belief they could be healed, in fact, I’m unsure if anyone besides my team and Mohammed knew what just took place.
I wanted more though. More healing and bigger miracles. I desired and prayed to see what power the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit could pour out among His children of this area.
Instead, I spent the rest of my time engaging people, praying over and through streets that quite possibly have never had a Christian step foot on them, and serving the local community without any visible fruit.
The evening before our last day, I was spending some time with Abba and just asked Him, “Why not?” He sent me straight to Mark 2:1-12. It is the story of the paralyzed man who was brought in by four friends. When they were unable to get close to Jesus because of the crowd, they climb up on the roof and removed part of it. They then lowered the paralytic down on a mat in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus forgave his sins. Some of the scribes around began questioning His authority and Jesus said,
“Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk?’ But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” He told the paralytic, “I tell you: get up, pick up your mat, and go home.” Immediately he got up, picked up the mat, and went out in front of everyone.
Instantly, two things in this scripture stood off the page. First, the paralytic’s friends had faith for him. They are the ones who loved this man enough to climb up and remove a roof in order for him to be healed. Second, the fact that Jesus forgave this man’s sins before the healing ever took place. Then Holy Spirit gently whispered to my heart,
“Why do you want healing for these people before you want their salvation? Is it so they will believe and turn to me, or is it to build your own faith?”
Those words pierced my heart beyond a subtle nudging. I postured my heart and asked myself if I was going and praying out of a true love for those people or if I was selfishly playing a role in order to build myself up. How much of my need for the worldly notions of pride, arrogance, and proof has clouded the true Gospel? Have we made miracles more important than salvation?
The living, active Word of God is more powerful spoken to someone than a prayer of healing and miraculous wonders. For even Jesus said some will see those things and still not believe, for the wonder of it passes, yet, if they have the truth, the source of life, it is living on and that in itself is the true miracle that brings salvation. For isn’t it harder to heal a heart that has been entrapped by walls of deceit, wounds, and a lack of hope than a limb freely exposed of its disease?
I was searching for the wrong miracle for these people. It is not about what I think Jesus should do for people, it is all about what He has already done for them on the cross. Telling them a Savior came to die for their sins so they can have salvation and eternal life is far more valuable than a healed leg. For what I know is that if they choose to receive the gift given, they will be healed in and for eternity.
By His Grace & For His Glory,
Bethany
UPDATE: My team and I are currently in Greece looking to serve the refugees here. Please pray for opportunities and opened doors to serve them, love them, and share Jesus Christ with them. Thank you for all of the love, support, and encouragement while I’ve been on the field. I promise, your support and prayers are making a difference for me, my team, and most importantly the people we are encountering.
