Anyone whoever did anything worth-while and stuck with it, is
considered an Achiever. Jesus, the master teacher Himself gave us the formula
in Matthew 24:13 when He said, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same
shall be saved.” There it is, plain and simple, the pay off, the reward, the
achievement, that final accomplishment in some work towards a personal desire.
In a recent study from a well know University, a five year survey was done on
some of the top 20 performers in this country in various fields, including a
wide range of successful athletes, sculptors, mathematicians, physicians,
teachers, musicians, actors, scholars and chief executives. This study also
included an interview with the families and teachers of these celebrated high
achievers to try and find out what the common key in their success was. What
they discovered was, that the mere drive and determination, not talent led them
to their success. Imagine that! Just some plain old determination that fuels
the will power of anyone that strikes out to do a thing and does not turn back!
That reminds me of a woman in the Bible, whose faith was rewarded by her
determination to have what she longed for, her health! In Mark chapter 5,
"If I could just touch His clothes, I would be healed", that is what
she told herself, this nameless bleeding woman who had traveled many miles,
fueled by nothing but her faith. She had a bold plan. According to the Mosaic
Law, a woman who was ceremonially unclean wasn't allowed to touch anyone, let
alone the Son of God, yet desperation calls for desperate things. For 12 long
years she had had this problem with loosing blood and it was causing her to be
physically sick and even socially unacceptable. The Bibles says that the
physicians of her time were unable to relieve her suffering. She spent all she
had, yet instead of getting better she only grew worse. Most of us would have
thrown ourselves in His path, begging Him to help us. Instead our bleeding
sister quietly "came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His
cloak" Mark 5:27. By law, her touch would have made Him unclean. By grace,
just the opposite happened. "Immediately her bleeding stopped" Mark
5:29 says. Without a word, a look, or a touch from Jesus, she was made whole
simply by believing He could heal her...and daring to act on that belief. As
her faith was rewarded her, she wasn't the only one who noticed. Jesus turned
around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" Mark 5:30.
At that point she and Jesus both knew that it had happened, her faith had
healed her. Wow, how that scripture illustrates how sensitive Jesus is to our
needs, that just a touch in faith to His garment will get His attention for us!
How her heart must have pounded as she heard Him say, "Who touched me?".
When the disciples pointed out to Jesus that there were many in the crowded
street and everyone was touching and grabbing Him, Jesus kept looking around to
see who it was that had touched Him with that kind of faith! He wasn't looking
to accuse but to affirm. The same faith that empowered her to stretch out her
hand now, gave her the strength to step forward. She "fell at his feet and
trembling with fear, told him the whole truth" Mark 5:33. She risked
everything, public humiliation, and maybe even possible punishment for her
actions to explain her, confession of faith to Jesus. The true miracle in this
story is about the faith she had, not what she did. Her determination was
fueled by her faith. Her willingness to believe she could be well again, despite
all evidence to the contrary, and do whatever it would take to get it. When she
heard about the man Jesus who'd healed many who had various diseases in Mark
1:34, she made a beeline for Capernaum to see Him. What is it that you
want from Jesus today? When was the last time that you longed to touch the hem
of His garment because you knew that only He has what you must have to be
better, to be whole, to be free; whether it be physically, or spiritually? He
will not disappoint you dear friend, but your faith will determine your answer.
If you struggle with your faith; simply ask Him to help your weak faith and
show you where your answer lies. And do everything in your power to trust and
get to Him!
Loving on you today,
Bren
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