There was once a woman who struggled with a debilitating disease for over 10 years. She had sought out every medical treatment available to her and spent all the money she had seeking relief, but no cure was ever found.
She had her good days and her bad days, but she really couldn’t remember what it was like to live a normal life. She couldn’t travel… work consistently… or even make plans for her future. Sure, she could live with this illness — 10 years of doing it had proven that — but as far as having a high quality of life… well… that just wasn’t going to be likely.
Probably her biggest challenge was fighting off discouragement, which was particularly difficult on the bad days. She wanted to have a good outlook on life, but those bad days made it so hard. In those moments, her thoughts would lean dark… as she contemplated living the rest of her life with this illness.
And then one day, it was simply gone. Removed! Part of her past! Her diseased body had been healed, because she had encountered Jesus. You can read about her story in Luke 8 and verse 46 really grabs me. Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” Luke 8:46 NLT
“Someone deliberately touched me…” You see, according to Peter there were all kinds of people touching Jesus… Peter actually says, “Master this whole crowd is pressing against you!” (Vs. 45) But, only one person deliberately touched Him. Only one person touched Him with purpose.
I’m convinced there must be some sort of backstory that we are not privy to because Jesus tells her that her faith in Him made her well. Somewhere… somehow… she developed a faith in Jesus that was significant enough for her to believe that Jesus could do what medical personnel had not — and her life was never the same.
As I read her story I find myself pondering… how did her life change after that deliberate touch? To suddenly have a freedom, energy and peace that she had not known for so long must have been such a remarkable paradigm shift in her life.
The Bible teaches that you and I know the same Jesus that woman did 2000 years ago. Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever. During the Advent Season of Christmas we are reminded that Jesus came to bring peace to those who love Him. Do you need some peace in your life? Then might I humbly suggest that you reach out… and deliberately touch Him. Seek Him and you will find Him. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
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