The Gospels tell the story of a woman having an issue of blood who endured her illness for twelve long years. She sought relief from numerous physicians and spent everything she had to no avail until one day when she heard of a very special man who had gained a widespread reputation as a healer and teacher. That man was Jesus. Out her desperation to be cured, she made a decision that would prove to be life changing. She decided that she would go to Capernaum where Jesus was. Her story is a prime example of faith in action. She had so much faith in the Lord’s power to heal that she was willing to journey thirty miles to receive her healing. Her faith was such that she believed if she could simply touch Jesus’ clothing she would be healed (Mark 5:28). Her desire to be healed became faith in action when she set out on the thirty mile journey to Capernaum.
And when she finally got to where Jesus was and managed to push her way through the crowd of people who surrounded him, she then took, yet, another giant leap of faith by boldly reaching out and touching Jesus’ clothing. It was indeed a leap of faith because this action would have been deemed highly inappropriate at the time, because according to Jewish customs she was considered “unclean.” Her act of touching Jesus would have rendered him unclean as well. After touching Jesus, the Bible says:
“Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace'" (Luke 8:45-48).
In the quest for whatever we seek to accomplish, we must remember that it is not enough to simply pray and hope. Rather, we must pray and KNOW that God answers prayer and that if we are faithful to move in the direction of—or reach out to take hold of—what we are believing God for, even before we can physically see or touch it, it will manifest in God’s perfect timing.
Faith is key. It is the fuel that propels us forward toward our goal and provides us the spiritual fortitude to triumph over our circumstances. Hurdling over, maneuvering around, or breaking through the obstacles that life places before us, often requires us to take a leap of faith, like the woman in the biblical story.
My prayer for you today is that as you face life’s many challenges, may you have faith in God’s promise to provide and in God’s ability to do abundantly, exceedingly more than you can even imagine. And, lastly, may you have faith in yourself—that you, through the power of “him who strengthens you,” can, and will, do great things. Amen.
"But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind" (James 1:6).
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Rev. René François, Chaplain
Providence Little Company Of Mary Medical Center
Torrance, CA / San Pedro, CA