#11 IF YOU CAN

Listen to the audio version Jane’s essay.

I have prayed, & pondered, a short phrase from scripture for years. Experience has taught me that there is usually more behind the meaning of Biblical concepts & words than just the obvious. In my “ah-ha” moments, I can erroneously assume that my one-time interpretation is complete because it means so much to me. Now, I’m thinking that just maybe God reveals what my heart/ mind can absorb & understand…what I want to hear in a crisis moment. When you’ve read a passage multiple times, previously unnoted words or phrases can suddenly “pop out” & uproot former perspectives.

IF YOU CAN

Jesus is the Word. And the Holy Spirit reveals Him as I read it. As such, I should be enjoying an ever-increasing “knowing” relationship with Him. Simple can be profound! I often find myself sitting quietly, trying to take it all in.

“I do believe; help my unbelief.” This phrase is found in Mark 9 as a father’s response, to Jesus, regarding the healing of his demon-possessed son. I see this as an honest cry, one I have expressed many times as I recognized my own doubts in the face of adversity. When I did a more intentional study on this passage, I also read the other two gospel accounts in Matthew 17 & Luke 9, only to discover that the combination of verses fills in some significant gaps as to the background of this narrative. Jesus had previously fed 5000 hungry people, healed a demon-possessed Gentile girl, a deaf/mute man, & then fed another group of 4000. Six days after Jesus rebuked Peter, He took Peter, James & John to the Mount of Transfiguration. In the meantime, the rest of the disciples had apparently been ministering to a large group of people, one of which was the despairing father seeking healing for his son. Luke’s account says that the next day, when Jesus, Peter, James, & John came down from the mountain, a multitude met them. Mark’s record adds that a large crowd, including some scribes, were surrounding the other disciples & were arguing with them. When the crowd saw Jesus, they immediately ran to him. 

Can’t you hear everyone talking at once, clamoring to be heard?

I sense frustration, irritation & anticipation—simultaneously. Been there. Done that. Apparently, the disciples hadn’t been able to help the demon-possessed boy. Jesus rebukes the crowd when he calls them an “unbelieving” generation. (Translation: not worthy of confidence, untrustworthy.) He then asks the father about his son’s condition. The father’s response reveals his heart. “But if you can do anything, take pity on us & help us.” Three small words put doubt & unbelief on public display. I can almost feel a hush enveloping the crowd. A slight pause follows. What Jesus says next likely made time stand still. I think he might possibly have raised his voice. At the very least, He likely felt annoyed. “IF YOU CAN! All things are possible to him who believes.” The boy’s father quickly responds with what has been my prayer. “I do believe; help my unbelief.” In this context, unbelief is defined as faithlessness, uncertainty, distrust, the lack of acknowledgment of Christ, a want of confidence in Christ’s power, & a want of trust in the God of promise.

I don’t know about you, but I feel the resulting conviction. Muttering “sorry God” will never do. Confessing is admitting/taking responsibility for my sin/error/stupidity & humbly agreeing before God that I messed up. The way to regain the temporary lapse in my experiential freedom, is to pray, “I was wrong, Lord. Thank you for Your forgiveness.” In His kindness, God leads me/us to repentance. Not just for initial salvation, but to live free from regret. Believing in Jesus brings renewal to the way I/we think. And what I/we think determines how we live/act out our lives.

The bottom line, for me, is that when I don’t believe what God says, I’m doubting His character…the essence of WHO HE IS. I’m saying, “If you can…” That unbelief can quickly spiral down into fear & I sometimes find my soul hanging precariously over the edge of a spiritual pit. It’s akin to calling God a liar. Think about it! Our Creator & Author of our salvation has already accomplished what is not humanly possible. He has proven that He is trustworthy. “Trusting is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see…and without trusting, it is impossible to be well pleasing to God, because whoever approaches him must trust that he does exist and that he becomes a Rewarder to those who see him out.” (Hebrews 11:1 & 6, CJB)  

I’m grateful for the Truth of God’s unchanging Word. It has been my Safe Place throughout my life. I’m thankful that God knows me better than I know myself & that He continues to teach me without fail. I’m relieved to know that I don’t have to pretend to be something, externally, that isn’t true internally. Spiritually, God sees me complete in Christ Jesus.

Each & every day He is faithfully working in me to reflect His Life. I am in a process of becoming until the day I go Home. Meanwhile, I am content to know that He is designing & weaving the tapestry of my life with His loving hands. “…for it is God who is at work in you, both to will & to work for His good pleasure…Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; & may your spirit & soul & body be preserved complete, without blame, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, & He also will bring it to pass.” (Philippians 2:13; I Thess 5: 23 & 24)