so there’s really no contest when you look at it that way, is there? who wants a quick fix in their life? “sure, let’s slap some emotional or spiritual duct tape on the problem, and just leave it alone.” that does no one any good. temporary fixes are just that. it’s like taking cigarettes away from some who is trying to go cold turkey, and then hanging out in a tobacconist’s shop. the problem hasn’t been directly dealt with, and there have been no real steps toward change.

when Jesus helps to heal the lame man, and forgave his sins in the process, Jesus was taking care of a surface issue (health) but He also exacted change in this man’s life in a much deeper, more meaningful way (forgiving sin.) and while this difference is supposed to be plainly laid out so we can see there are two totally different areas in which we can all use some help, there is also the mater of acting on both of these changes, as well.

if the man chose to ignore his physical healing, we would say he had some deep seeded mental issues, and he may hae been able to walk in the first place. we would have said that he was absolutely nuts, too. why not act on this healing? why keep living the same way when a new way of life was literally right there to be stepped into?

the spiritual correlation here is also obvious. why live a life of sin when righteousness is yours to be had? it also makes no sense to leave this behind. why live in doubt & fear, when you can live a life of peace, forgiveness & joy?

so why go for the quick fix in anything we do? what good does a patch job do, when the wall needs to be rebuilt?

look at the situations as they are laid out before you, and see what really needs to be done. what paths are available for deep, meaningful change? what steps can be taken to ensure that what we do will bring that permanent shift in perspective, attitude and action?

as a Christian, my initial answers are to spend more time, dedicated time, in prayer & study. we must also purge our lives of immoral influences, and dedicate more of our time to serving others before we even think about ourselves.

deep change like we are supposed to experience doesn’t always come overnight (not to say it can’t) and we know that there is work to maintain that change. we need to trust God, and ask Him to help us day by day as we struggle to maintain a God-honoring trajectory.

Father, help me. i cannot make this change on my own. thanks for putting up with me as i continue to stumble along…please forgive my mistakes and failings.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Spirit, have mercy.

amen.