He looked round at them all, and then said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was completely restored. Luke 6:10
this verse reminds me that when i stretch out towards Jesus – He is there.
He is our healer. our peace. our strength. our saviour. our grace giver.
sometimes i’m more inclined to sit, wrapped in myself, paralysed by the problems of the moment
my heart withering as i close in and mother on and do all i can in my own strength to not fall apart
but Jesus calls me to stretch out to find healing
to find His healing grace
i believe healing is also found when we stretch out into the arms of others, when we share and confide with friends or pastors or professionals
we go to a doctor if our body is broken, a mechanic if our car is broken, a plumber if our pipes are broken – but we often neglect to find help when our hearts and emotions are broken
stretching out is such an action of faith – to make the motion and movement we haven’t had before, to do something so unnatural to our being – but its in that action of faith that we find restoration and healing, both in our body and our soul. wherever we are broken God can heal.
its as i stretch close to God that i am restored
stretching into worship
stretching into prayer
stretching into listening to His voice and promises
stretching into His truth
this is the place i want to live – always stretching out, arms wide open, heart surrendered to Jesus
#FiveMinuteFriday free write time! <—click to tweet this!
Five Minute Friday is a feature over at Lisa-Jo Bakers TALES FROM A GYPSY MAMA blog. i first read about it on my friend Fee’s blog and thought it sounded fun!
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
OK, are you ready?
11 comments
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August 17, 2012 at 2:45 pm
Wayne Augden
I really like this, and I appreciate you’re sharing it with us.
August 17, 2012 at 3:36 pm
Nancy
“wherever we are broken God can heal.” – I’m so there with you right now. Healing is coming more quickly this time because I have swallowed my pride and self-consciousness and reached – stretched – out to others for help and support.
August 17, 2012 at 8:35 pm
annagracestroven
Well written post. Great analogy. I know I struggle to ask God for help.
August 17, 2012 at 11:11 pm
fireball3316
thanks wayne. i always appreciate you popping in
) blessings, claire
August 17, 2012 at 11:11 pm
fireball3316
its a hard process eh nancy, but so worth it to stretch into freedom and restoration.
August 17, 2012 at 11:12 pm
fireball3316
thanks anna – me too – i think i try to be strong for everyone else and myself and forget that as God comforts me i can comfort others and as i am weak He is strong in me and through me… my weakness and asking Him for help i think releases other people to find healing too. blessings, claire
August 18, 2012 at 1:23 am
Wendy
Oh I want to live in that place with you and Him…stretched in surrender. Thanks so much for sharing! Blessings!
August 18, 2012 at 2:34 am
Sherrey Meyer
Amazing post — well written — so powerful. I cling to the words “wherever we are broken God can heal.” And it takes stretching ourselves, doesn’t it?
August 18, 2012 at 3:20 am
fionacharisbrown
oohhhh good. Amen. Let’s stretch together. xx
August 19, 2012 at 12:54 am
Denise
Really good post.
August 19, 2012 at 3:27 am
lonistel
Loved this . . . so often we do miss the opportunities to be stretched for Him and by Him!