Who are you?

Rev. Matt Idom took the pulpit on Sunday, challenging us to make the Word personal.

Read Mark 2:1-12
(No Bible near? Click the Scripture reference to read online.)

The passage tells a story familiar to most of us. News had spread that Jesus was in a particular house and the crowds descended. Four men brought their paralyzed friend to Him on a mat but could not get through the mass of people. With no way in the door, they took drastic measures. They tore a hole in the roof and lowered him at Jesus's feet.

Rev. Idom asked us to consider who we might be in the story. There are many characters to choose from: those who made up the crowd, some in the house, some outside; the four men carrying their friend; the paralytic being carried on the mat; the teachers of the law; and there's also the man who owned the house.

And I ask you the same question now: Who are you?

Really, take time to read the passage more than once. Ask God who you are, why you are there, and what He wants to reveal about you through this Word.

Getting personal with God's Word is where transformation begins to take place.

But beware. Depending on how you respond to what His Word reveals you will either draw closer to Him through repentance or you will harden your heart through rebellion.

Sunday, as Matt read the passage, I asked these questions. What was revealed made me uncomfortable.

I was one of the people carrying the paralyzed friend on the mat to Jesus. (This is who I want to be.) But what was revealed when Matt asked the congregation: Were you the one who had the idea to go through the roof? I had to say No.

I'm more like the guy who stands and looks and only sees obstacles. There is no way to get him in there. I'm the one who tends to stop, be deterred, doubt when things get in the way or the way is long. Especially when it is someone I really care about. Someone I want to be healed. But it just seems like there's no way.

I struggle with unbelief. I need people around me right now to encourage me to find a way, to persevere in the face of discouragement.

In my acceptance of His revelation, I choose to ask Him to bring other Believers around me for encouragement, and confess my discouragement and unbelief when it comes to the long haul of bringing paralyzed souls to Jesus.

His Word shines light in our hearts and cuts to the core of what we are facing in our lives.

The process can be painful. We don't always want to know who we really are, because then we are challenged to deal with it or deny it.

But what I do know, is the process is critical to our growth as disciples of Jesus. And unless we allow Him to reveal and heal our hearts through His Word we will not be able to lead (or carry) anyone else to Him.

 For the word of God is living and active.

Sharper than any double-edged sword,

it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow;

it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 NIV84

Let His Word do its work in your life. 

Allow it to shine the light of truth in your heart. 

Ask Him to judge the thoughts and attitudes of your heart so you can know... who you are...

Carol Weaver