"Your faith has made you well..."

Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, "Who touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you." But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me." When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."
~ Luke 8:43 - 48
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Six years ago I awoke early one morning while traveling through Southern Indiana where I spent most of my childhood. I drove out to Lake Monroe near the dam and watched as the morning fog lifted from the water. Framed by trees that were embracing autumn, I just remember sitting and watching, listening to the sounds of birds in the underbrush, and thinking about how wonderful it was to sit alone along the banks.

I realized that Jesus did not have this luxury. I have often wondered what it must have been like to have been the Creator, not able to see with his human eyes, all the beauty that exists in the world. But then I realize that he did. For God, we are the only part of creation made in the image of the Creator. The only creation fashioned by the Creator's hands, and then to possess the Creator's own breath.

I suddenly begin to realize that Jesus was among the Creator's most cherished creation. Us!

I have to believe that life was good for Jesus. To walk each day, among the creation, even when the creation seemed to have problems that only Jesus could remedy, often reminding those around to simply "love one another," and to "love yourself as well."

To be among the creation that Jesus would encounter around each corner, being different from the next, but still possessing the same gift of life from the Creator.

No sunrise is the same, but yet they are each created by God. No person is the same, but yet they are as precious as each new day.

The woman in the crowd touches Jesus, believing that something will change about her. The struggles that she has had with her health. The pain she has felt, and the life she has lived, removed from those around her. But on this day, she is among the crowd and she finds Jesus, and pushes her way to him.

She is healed by simply touching his garment. Jesus acknowledges her presence and and tells her that her faith has made her well.

She knew that by simply touching his garment, she would once again be made whole.

We are the instruments of that presence today. While I realize the need to walk among the water's edge, and to allow for a time of reflection, I am also aware that each of us are needed to walk among the crowds. To be able to be present to and for one another, even when it seems that the world may overwhelm us.

Being able to encourage one another, and to acknowledge that our faith will heal and sustain us, remains among the most valuable gifts we may offer to one another.

"Your faith has made you well."

Stay in God's grip!

​G. Todd Williams (c) 2018