Your Way or the Highway

I heard about a sermon preached in Toledo. I didn't hear it, but I wanted to read the story to see if it translated into a decent blog. Here goes!

Have you ever been in a really bad situation, that you prayed and expected God to deliver you out of? You know...you're sick, or you lost your job, or you are caught between two impossible decisions and need clarity?

In these sitches--because we're God's beloved children--we want:

1. Miraculous healing
2. Someone to call YOU and say: "I want you to come work for me"
3. You want to put an Old Navy Fleece out on the lawn at night, and find it dry in the morning

But we don't usually get our deliverance in those ways.

So it was with Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-19).

The situation: Naaman is a great guy, respected by all, beloved of his king, captain of the army, and valiant warrior. BUT, he also happens to be a leper. This sucks. Someone tells him that there is a prophet in Israel who can heal him, so he sets out in search of his miracle.


The miracle: When Naaman gets to Israel, the prophet Elisha says "go wash in the Jordan 7 times, and you'll be healed."


The reaction: Hold up, hold up...I came all this way to jump in a river? Why don't you lay hands on me, and just heal me? Do you know who I am? I'm a big deal...I need a big deal deliverance.

And herein lies the main point: WHY DO YOU CARE HOW YOU ARE DELIVERED?

The main point is deliverance. Do you want to be healed or not. Helped or not?

Sometimes...

1. Instead of the miraculous healing, you have lots of doctor's appointments, tests, and diagnoses and your healing comes later.
   
2. Instead of the divine job offer, you have to go on dozens of interviews and network when you're afraid. Then, months later the job you prayed for materializes,
   
3. Instead of signs and wonders (like the fleece), God shuts every other door, until you have only one choice...and there is your clarity.

For Naaman, he ultimately washed in the Jordan, did what he had to do, and he walked away healed. It might not look like you want, it might not come when you want, but sometimes...you just have to do what you have to do and walk away with your deliverance...regardless of how it came.