Today, I felt the way to find the chapter I would be reading today by following the example my old Bishop (we will call him Bishop A) had taught me. I closed my eyes, random pressed my fingers on the screen of the Gospel Library app, and came across Luke chapter 5.
What stuck out in his chapter is Simon, after a long night of fishing, and catching very little, Jesus asked him to cast out his net. Simon stated they had been out, but if he asks them to, he will.
How often have I felt a prompting to do something, and in a moment of doubting asked God, "But why? Have I not been trying already?"
For me, this teaches me that I should not question, but to act upon these. Not try to reason it and say... "Well, if you really want me to now..."
When we follow promptings, we may not know why, but there is a lesson and a reason there. God does not reveal the way he works to us, but we are always better off if we listen to that still small voice.
The rest of the chapter goes on to show examples of people who seek out Jesus, to ask for healing, and when he states they are healed, they stand up, and they are healed, they are forgiven. They do not seem to ask Jesus, "Hey, I know you said I am healed, but are you sure? Never the less if you say I am, I suppose that I am." I can see myself doing this all too often. Questioning, doubting, seeking positive affirmation. Perhaps, this is an important lesson to absorb for myself. God knows all, he can command all, and he can do all. Who am I to questions and ask again and again for the same answer. Is it not faith to hear or be prompted by something and to accept this?
I question way too much. I know this. While I do not think it is unwise to question and seek affirmation, there is a fine line of ensuring you know, and lacking the faith to continue to follow the promptings. I have fallen again into lacking that faith. I am but human, but I wish my faith was that much more to be able to realize his workings in my life, to give thanks, and not to seek the same answers over and over and over again.
To end with, I have to say how much I appreciate his closing message. The Pharisees seem to doubt Jesus and to speak ill of him because he spends his time in the presence of sinners and the sick. Yet Jesus states to them very clearly that "...They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
I cam not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (v. 31 - 32)
These verses have a hidden teaching in them as well. God wants to heal us, physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. He is in our presence with arms open beckoning us to him. Likewise, we cannot become better by surrounding ourselves with that which makes us sick. We must surround ourselves in his presence. By praying, reading, fasting... We can welcome his spirit to surround us, to feel of his love and to better feel his promptings to better ourselves.
I forgot how much reading the scriptures and writing these prompts make me feel of his spirit. It is something I have sorely lacked, and something I hope and pray to keep.
I pray that those who reads these things that I write will find the love of our Heavenly Father. That they may feel something and hopefully find answers that you seek. I love you and pray each and everyone one of you have a wonderful day and if there is anything you have questions about, if you wish to write me, that I may be able to help in anyway possible. God loves each of us, and is aware of us.
