5.04.2006

Day 14

Luke 13:11-13
And a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for 18 years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

What would it be like to be bent over for 18 years? What would it be like to suddenly be able to stand? I, personally, have never been inflicted where I was bent over at the waist, unable to straighten up - betting you haven't either. But, I am betting each of us has been bent over a time or two in our spirit. Think about it a minute. Maybe it is just me.

Every time my dog comes to me she has her head down. Every time, without fail. I have never hit her, or kicked her. I have never punished her for coming to me. But every time she comes her head is down. Like Oliver when he wanted more - he just knew something terrible was going to happen. She just knows that one time she is going to come and instead of patting, I will hit. I never gave her cause to think that, some other jerk put that thought in her mind by doing exactly that, and in her mind she can't separated the two. I think that is how I approach God. Head down, knowing the worst could come. He has never done anything of the sort, but someone else has - and in my mind I can't separate the two. I would call that a bent over spirit.

God help me to separate your truth from the lies I believe every day. The lie that I'm not good enough, or that I am un-lovable, or that I should not desire good things for my life. Put your hand on me and help me to straighten up and look you in the eye, rather than staring at your feet.

No comments: