If you’re looking for a refreshing read that touches on spirituality, personal development, and meaning in life, read Don Miller’s book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. But don’t read it if you’re churchy – it’ll tick you off.
In his book, Miller raises an interesting idea: what if a movie was made of your life? Would it be any good? Would anybody go?
As Miller ruminated on such questions while taking us through various stories of his life, a reality began to hit him: his life was pretty boring. Blah. Lots of television viewing interspersed with moments of eating, sleeping, and buying stuff. All of which defined him somehow, as our habits and stories ultimately define us.
There was a woman who lived long ago in a small town in Israel (Luke 13:10-17). We’re not totally sure what happened, but she suffered from some sort of malady that kept her bent over in pain for eighteen years. They credited evil spirits, like they did with most physical ailments in their day – they didn’t know what we know about the human body – so they lived in a world where suffering was the wrath of God or the torment of Satan.
It just so happened that Jesus was teaching in the local synagogue. Whether she made it a point to seek help from the healer or dumb luck, she received a surprise that day. Jesus told her, in the middle of his teaching, that she was healed. Then, to help her and onlookers believe that the healing was coming through him, he touched her. Immediately she stood upright, after which she danced all day and all night in joy (probably).
The guy in charge of the synagogue no doubt knew of Jesus’ healing powers as well his gift for teaching. When the woman was healed, the leader got uptight. We’re not totally sure what was going on in his head, but he put his foot in his mouth, illuminating his core beliefs: no healing today – it’s the Sabbath – come back later.
Side note: if you are looking for a way to tick Jesus off, restrict the love of God from somebody – it’s a sure-fire way to get rebuked. Jesus ripped the guy a new one (and by that I mean, of course, he provided for the man a new theological insight…).
While it’s always fun to join Jesus in picking on legalistic leadership, there is a deeper concern that we must face. The synagogue leader needed healing as much as the crippled woman. He was as bent over in his living as she was. Unlike the woman, however, he was not aware of his need. A truth about human living: we get so comfortable with our respective infirmities that we eventually call it normal, and even healthy as we adjust our lives to assimilate our disease.
So, if we can name that which ails us, then we need to consider whether or not we are courageous enough – as the woman in the story was – to come into the presence of the Healer who longs to heal. And then, be willing to follow the Healer’s lead and prescription. Sometimes what we think needs healing doesn’t get healed – but that doesn’t mean God is uninvolved. The Apostle Paul prayed and prayed for the “thorn in his side” to be removed, but it never was. And yet, God gave healing and wholeness in unexpected ways, teaching Paul things about the limits of physical life and the unlimited power and presence of God.
For everybody else, we need to constantly be seeking healing from God. We need to ask God for help to recognize where we are in need of greater health. And then we need to pursue Jesus just as the woman. If you are drawing a blank on this, here are some key areas I believe just about everybody struggles in our cultural context: emotional maturity, anger management, relational depth, greed, sloth, lust, grace, self-esteem, and loving fully.
May you who resonate with the woman have the boldness to approach Jesus for his touch even if others deem it inappropriate. May you who resemble the synagogue leader have eyes to see yourself clearly, recognize your need, and follow in the woman’s footsteps to Jesus’ feet, where healing, wholeness, and life at its best reside.
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