My small group was discussing a rather short and straight forward story in the Gospel of John. John 5:1-9 is the story of an invalid who spent 38 years coming to a pool that was known for its healing powers, but could never get to the waters in time to receive the healing he sought. Jesus came to him and simply asked if he wanted to get well, then told the man to get up and walk, which he did and was healed.

This story brought up a surprising number of questions from the group but left me asking myself if this man simply over complicated his situation instead of just asking God for healing, and having the faith to just get up and walk.

When Jesus asked him if he wanted to get well, the man did not answer with a yes or no, he told his story of how when the waters were stirred, someone would always get to the waters before him. This apparently went on for over three decades. It had the ring of an excuse, like he already knew that he hadn’t really made an honest effort to ask for and receive what he wanted all these years. It made me ask myself what things in my life have I delayed God’s blessing on by making up complicated excuses for not simply giving it up to God and taking that first step in faith?

The first thing that comes to mind is this blog. I have often prayed that God would show me my calling and open the doors for these things to happen. It has been on my heart for years now but I never seem to get it going. I’ve tinkered with software, graphics, domain names and all the trappings of a WordPress site. what I haven’t done is simply start writing and hit the publish button. Could it be I am the invalid lying by the pool? Could I have spent the past 40 plus years waiting for the waters to be stirred and for someone to help me into them. when all I had to do was just ask and then take that first step in faith? Certainly if God can heal an invalid of 38 years, He can inspire me to write a blog post once a week. I need to take the first step in faith though.

So enough procrastination. I am going to hit publish now and see what God will do with this.