Lately my Friday morning routine has included a trip to the physical therapist. You might say that I am currently participating in a Friday ritual which includes the laying on of hands. And slowly I’m finding my right foot coming back to life; my mobility increasing in small, incremental, but noticeable ways. I’m grateful for the persons who are working with me to try and restore me to renewed physical wholeness.
As I think about this, I realize that God is continuing to restore, re-form, and renew me in God’s image (likeness, nature, character). This happens through a relationship. It’s what Leslie Weatherhead described as a “transforming friendship” – with Jesus Christ. To be in relationship/friendship with Jesus is to participate in a journey of re-formation. I thank God that Jesus Christ always extends God’s friendship to us first. His friendship is a healing one. Jesus Christ is the Consummate Friend, whose love is extended toward me, and this world. He is our true hope of being re-formed…….
In Luke’s Gospel we read:
She was bent completely forward and utterly unable to straighten herself up or to look upward.
12 And when Jesus saw her, He called [her to Him] and said to her, Woman, you are released from your infirmity!
13 Then He laid [His] hands on her, and instantly she was made straight, and she recognized and thanked and praised God. Luke 13:11c-13 | AMP
Still In ONE Peace,
Jon (the Methodist)
If you would like to view past editions of How Sweet the Sound, follow this link: https://sounddistrictnc.org/category/from-the-ds/
Re-Formed……..
Eighteen years……
hunched over…….
unable to stand erect…..
Eighteen years …….
my body a living question mark ….
??????????????????
Eighteen years…..
of seeing more knees than eyes….
Eighteen years …….
with no hope of anything more
than straining to see the horizon.……..
Into this darkness a voice speaks:
“Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.
“Infirmity? Did he say, infirmity ?…….
not iniquity, …..but infirmity??
You mean I’m not being punished
for something I did,
or didn’t do?
Oh my, he is is coming near….
I can see his sandal-ed feet…..
his cloak…..his hands…….
strong hands, and calloused……
They rest now upon my shoulders….
yet…..his touch is gentle……comforting……
Suddenly there is a tingling………
Searing heat tracing my spine…
bones creaking and crackling,
a sense of growing taller….
Look!!!!!!
I am standing up!
I am standing up!!!
Straight……and tall…
My hands stretch up towards the heavens….
My face feels the warmth of the sun, (Son)
My feet begin to move ……and I am dancing ….
Salty tears stream down my face…
Warm like the rains of summer….
Their taste not bitter, but sweet…….
Holy God…….. YOU have set me free!
I praise Your great name……
I AM ALIVE AGAIN !!!!!!!!
clay in the hands of your re-forming…
After all these years…..
eighteen years……..
I now stand straight and tall…..
A question mark has been
transformed into an exclamation point!
Set free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re-formed……..………………….
by the touch of your love……………….
– J.E.S.