And what? ...

Wednesday, Oct 10, 2012. We have a friend who has difficulties with handling money. Usually, money is gone soon after he gets it. Every time this happens he somehow realizes that his way to deal with the problem is not good - his own behavior does not help him. But does he change his behavior? Is he approaching the problem seriously? I would rather say that not much seems to change over time …

What difference did it make? …

But we all have this type of behavior patterns here or there. There are problems, but we do not change what would be needed to change. I often take too many responsibilities, and I do not organize myself accordingly. So there is a big pile of things which need to be done “yesterday”, but I do not change my behavior … I am as stupid with my time planning as our friend is with money.

You can quickly discover more situations like this. All our usual problems, debts, weight, relationships … we have behavior patterns which are not good, which should be changed, but do we change them? Do we just get to the point where we need to get? Do we take the necessary steps?

What dynamics is driving us? What is driving the change which is needed? Who or what gives us the power to go the steps which are needed? Sometimes, particular events can change things. Sometimes, a change in our location, in our job, in our family or circle of friends can be an important ingredient to help us to move forward.

Are we getting the message? …

Reading the healing stories in the bible, I stumbled over this little sentence, written in Mark 10, 52: “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.“ This guy Bartimaeus had a change in his life - he was healed. And there were consequences arising from this change. He followed Jesus. He went with him.

The sentence is remarkable, when you compare the story to other healing stories in the bible. There are many others who are healed, but do not change their life. For them, this healing does not seem to drive them forward to be with Jesus. But Bartimaeus is following! For him the healing of his eyes was more than just the healing of his eyes, it was a healing of his whole life, of his habits, of the way he approached his day and his goals.

Do we understand the message when we read biblical texts? Are we smart, with an open heart? Do we let the power of the Holy Spirit drive us forward? Or are we as stupid as in the examples above? Perhaps we listen, but we do not hear. Perhaps we see, but we do not see? But it is meant to be different. God wants to reach our whole life, not just a particular point. How many of us have been ill at some point in our life, and have been healed, but they did not change. But others start to understand … with an open heart and an open mind … (Roland Potthast) ... more texts