Choose Life (Part Nine): When Asking is Not Enough.

Be Found

Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:5-6, NKJV)

We continue this week with the story of the sick man healed at the Pool of Bethesda. [John 5:1-15].

So, Jesus asked the sick man, “Are you really in EARNEST about getting well?” He was asking, “How much do you really want to get well?” “How sincere are you about wanting to get well?” “How much of your heart is involved in this desire to get well?” “What are you willing to give up for the healing you desire?” “Are you really interested in getting well, or are you merely satisfied with the idea, and motions, of wanting to get well?”

Is There a Cause?

And, you know, He is asking you and me the same questions today. Yes, you have fasted long and hard. Yes, you have had more night vigils than nights of sleeping. Yes, you have attended about all the revivals in your vicinity and more. The question is, how much of your heart is truly involved in all these? Are you getting so used to the activities they have become your new NORMAL? Or is there a CAUSE? 

Are you merely checking the box, or is your heart in it? Your head and heart have to be in your worship, in your prayers, for it to be acceptable; for it to be a reasonable service unto God. He will take no less. [Matthew 22:37; John 4:24; Romans 12:1; James 5:16] Love does not just give for the sake of giving. Love gives to bless, to increase, and is an integral part of the giving. [Proverbs 10:22]

When Asking is not enough.
 

Ever wondered why Jesus did not just say, “Ask, and it will be given to you…?”(Matthew 7:7) Could it be because asking ALONE, sometimes, does not get it? “To ask” is the lowest level of prayer (desire). It is like wishing for a thing. Sometimes we get what we wish for, sometimes we don’t. There are no guarantees. It is a function of the value involved, especially to the giver, and the possible consequences to the receiver. 

And, there is nothing wrong with asking. It is the first rung in the ladder of praying (desiring, obtaining, and achievement). The problem is with getting stuck on this rung. The problem is feeling and staying stuck in something that isn’t working and expecting a different result. Many of us like to quote Albert Einstein’s definition of Insanity but fail to realize we might be verbalizing what we are doing. 

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." (Albert Einstein)

You’ve stayed too long around this same mountain. It is time to move forward. 

© 2014 Akin Akinbodunse.

Links to the Study Series:

Choose Life (Part Eight): God Wants You, Rich.
Choose Life (Part Ten): How Deep Are You?


Other Resources:
Prayers that Avail Much (Germaine Copeland)

SaveSaveSaveSave