Did he ever try to move at all? Or why did he stay this long when he had the opportunity and experience with the years he had spent by the pool?
How old are you? And how long have you been here? I mean right where you are right now. Have you been in this same location or point in your life for so long. Just like this man, he remained in a particular location and position for 38 years of his life, for example if he were to spend 70 years in life and 38 years is already wasted doing nothing at all. I wonder what is left of his years on earth. That is absolutely ridiculous, you may say, I know it is and the most painful thing is that he seems comfortable with the situation just like some of us are. We want a better life but we are not making any effort to achieving that, we just want to sit and moan and be pitied. But I want you to know that this man is lame? I am very certain he’s got family, a mother, but why did he have to stay that long at pool or was he given birth to by the pool? even if he was given to by the pool, how did he eat, bath, or answer to natures’ call, or did he do everything in that same place? I know there are so many questions to ask as to why this man stayed that long. I still don’t understand why he stayed for 38 years without any movement whatsoever. “One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years”. (John 5:5).
The angel comes once in a while to turn the pool, by which this man was laying and whoever gets into the pool first gets cured of any sicknesses or health problems they might seem to have. This man wasn’t the only person with problems that is sitting by the pool, there were many others and many have been healed and have left. But unlike this man they were tired of staying by the pool all their life and this prompted them to ever get ready for the angel anytime he comes, they are not comfortable staying endlessly by the pool. They always jumped in whenever the angel turned up, and it was easier because they had already positioned themselves for the jump to get healed. Are you well positioned for your miracles, promotion, marriage and other things you are trusting your maker for?
In winter, in summer, in rain, in sunshine, this man was always there. Does he ever try to move at all? Or why did he stay this long when he had the opportunity and experience with the years he had spent by the pool? He would have studied or sensed it when the angel would normally appear. He should have at least crawled, move or drag himself, rather than just being stagnant.
Why Remain Stagnant?
It sound so unreasonable to know that the pool is so close to where this man was could actually solve all his problems of 38 years and yet he did not nothing. Why did he not move? Has he given up on life? Has he thought to himself that there was no way he could get into the pool? If he at least kept moving every day, he would have gotten closer to the pool. He could have been easier for him to see the pool. But why didn’t he make any attempts?
You might be wondering what this story has got to do with you. Well, maybe you are like this man with issues in your life, and you have been with this issue for a long time just as this man’s problem was. And you just decided to give up and let it be. Therefore, remained complacent about it, and no longer trying to make any attempts getting out of it and this has kept you at this particular point. There is a saying that says “if you can’t fly, run, if you can’t run, walk, if you can’t walk, crawl, just make sure you are moving”. This is typical of this man. He was not doing any of the things mentioned above, like most of us.
Just get back up!
What is your dream, passion, goal or even your calling that you have pushed aside while you watch everyone go past you every day thinking, I can’t be bothered. Here is the good news! It is not too late to pick up from where you left it and start moving. Joyce Meyer wrote: “This process of reprogramming or renewing our minds will take place little by little, so don’t be discouraged if progress seems slow. Don’t get down when you have setbacks or bad days. Just get back up, dust yourself off and start again.” Life is all about movement, growth and development, you wouldn’t want to remain in the same position all your life and end up a loser!
This man was so privileged that even in his lowest position, Jesus saw him and immediately knew that he had been at the position for too long, this man’s problem was even older than Jesus himself but not bigger than Him, Jesus is bigger and stronger than any of your problems or challenges.
Stop Complaining
So friends, no matter the issues that have taken so long in your life, no matter how old it is, 38 years or even older, Jesus can clear it all out. Just give him a chance to heal, deliver and set you free, as He did to this man, despite his excuses and complaints.
Oh! I had no one to carry me to the pool, anytime I tried to move, someone else goes in before me. Will you just please stop complaining and let Him help you, because He wanted to, but He wouldn’t force you unless you allowed Him to help you. So would you allow Him today to take away the pain, the shame, the struggles of 38 years, more or less? He’s waiting on you.
