My husband loves to tell people the story of how, because I was so blind, my forehead would almost touch the bathroom counter when I put my contacts in every morning. He thinks it is hilarious and even acts out the motions for everyone to see.
That was before God’s complete restoration of my eyesight. A miracle? Kind of…
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This month’s story is from Luke 13:10-17. A woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit for eighteen years was healed by Jesus when He noticed her in a large crowd of people. They were in the synagogue where Jesus was teaching on the Sabbath Day. Because of her illness, she was bent double and unable to stand up straight, but Jesus saw her and called her over to Him. He said,
“Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” (Luke 13:12)
Then He touched her, and immediately she stood up straight and praised God.
What Do We Learn About God?
God can heal us.
We just have to be present for Him to see us.
Had she gone there expecting to be healed? We don’t really know, but we do know that she was in the synagogue, which is a place for religious worship or instruction. She had a desire for something from God. Did she know that Jesus would be there teaching? I know that if I had heard of Jesus and his healing power and knew He was going to be there, that is exactly where I would have been. Unlike the woman with the bleeding issue who had followed Jesus through the crowd to touch His robe (Mark 5:25-29), this woman had not chased after Jesus. He had called her out of the crowd. The only thing she did to receive her healing was to be present and to answer Jesus’ call to her.
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My healing experience also started when my name was called out of a large crowd of people. It wasn’t Jesus who called my name, but it was the answer to my prayers. A friend of mine had invited me to a seminar at Triad Eye Institute where she was preparing to have laser eye surgery. She had enticed me with the news that they would be having a drawing and giving away a free laser eye surgery. I had worn glasses or contacts since I was in the 7th grade, and my eyes had steadily gotten worse since then, so I went expecting to gain knowledge if nothing else. When my name was called, I stood up straight and praised God just like the bent woman did. God had answered my prayers! After that surgery, I had better than perfect vision. God healed me, and all I had to do was be present and hear the call.
What evil spirits are afflicting you? Are your ailments physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional? Maybe your sickness doesn’t have you bent over double, and maybe you don’t think anyone knows the suffering you are going through, but God sees you and, He can set you free from any infirmities you have.
“’But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD…”
Jeremiah 30:17
Are you where you need to be for Jesus to see you?
If he calls you out of the crowd, will you answer His call?
Chelynn is a contributing writer for Shaken and Stirred. She is a long-time daughter of Christ, a wife, mother of two amazing adult children, and Nonnie to four beautiful grandchildren. She teaches Senior English at Charles Page High School and is also a Realtor for Keller Williams. She enjoys all things summer including boating, vacationing, and swimming.