Fellowship, Healing, Witness

Fellowship

We hear that God is doing amazing things around the world. Healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind. Healing cancer. The list goes on. One thing that I don’t hear much of, at least in the circles that I travel, is God healing here in the United States. This has me wondering why.

Perhaps it’s happening all around me and I’m just not hearing about. But on the larger scale I wonder if it could have something to do with what our culture wants and let’s face it, we Christians have been influenced by our culture.

Through my years I’ve found that God calls us into long term relationships. With Him and with others. When we read through the Book of Acts we discover that many amazing things happened in the context of close relationships. With all of the technology and we hurry through live I wonder if this has anything to do with why we don’t see (perhaps notice is a better word) more of His handiwork.

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

Acts 2:42-43 ESV

One thing for certain about relationships is that they aren’t very convenient. I mean, relationships can be messy. They require time and energy (sometimes physical AND emotional). Oh, and listening! It’s so much easier to keep things short and superficial and to not get bogged down in the messiness of someone else’s life. We often think, “if we’re going to talk, can’t we talk about me because my time is limited?” Why not slow down and see where God wants to take a conversation? Please realize that to ascribe our timeline for what God wants to do in a relationship of any kind can be dangerous.

A byproduct of moving through life so fast is that no one ever really gets to know you. For some of us that’s exactly what we want but how does that impact those around us and God’s opportunities to witness through us?

Let’s face it, for you to see what God is doing in my life you need to be close to me, close enough to notice the before and after. For me to notice a need in your life I need to be close to you. The Body of Christ is meant to be connected to one another.

44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

Acts 2:44-46 ESV

Healing and Witness

So why does it seem that God doesn’t do much healing today? Mind you that this is pure speculation on my part and God is God and He can do ANYTHING He wants but I believe that our perspective may be wrong.

Allow me to ask a probing question. Lets say that you have some sort of illness. Is your main request to simply get rid of the illness or that God uses it to bring Him Glory even if it means that the illness remains? Please don’t get me wrong. It’s natural to want to be rid of problems (health, financial, whatever they may be) but if that is our only goal then we may be missing a greater work that God wants to perform. It may be that God wants to use you to lead others to Him.

Witness, He gets the Glory

So what’s the bottom line? God never disappoints in a way that’s harmful to us, although He may not heal the way we want Him to. Sometimes it’s His quick, miraculous healing and that points people to Him. Sometimes it’s the grace and strength to endure so that others can watch. They may even ask, “I see how much pain you’re in, how to you do it?”. That is when we can point people back to Him.

47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:47 ESV

His work in you is attractive to others.