Know Love Like This: 21 Days of Discovering God's Heart for YouSample

Who Cares?

By Adana Wilson

Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies." So the servants followed his instructions. –John 2:7–8 (NLT)

It was a typical Monday afternoon at the office. Typical in that it was filled with meetings. Then, out of the blue, I felt an intense pain in my wrist. As I listened to the gentlemen across from me, I slowly began to rotate my wrist, but I could barely turn it without excruciating pain. The afternoon melted into evening, and the pain only intensified to the point where I couldn’t turn my wrist, and simply lifting my arm was horribly painful. I also noticed it had become very swollen.

Now, this wouldn’t have been so mind-boggling if I had fallen or maybe won some kind of challenge in which I utilized my wrist (notice I said “won” because I do not like to lose), but I had done nothing that day other than sit in my office and have meetings.

Upon seeking the advice of a medical professional (whom I happen to be married to), we decided to make a trip to urgent care that evening. After an examination, x-rays, a steroid shot, pain meds, and a brace, the verdict was to follow up with an orthopedic doctor. As I lay in bed that night, not getting much sleep, I dialogued with the Lord about the pain I was feeling. I didn’t want to have to find an orthopedist, follow up with them, or figure out what was wrong. I said, “Lord, I know people who are dealing with life and death situations right now. I’ve been praying for them! So, in the grand scheme of things, a painful wrist isn’t that big of a deal. But I don’t want to deal with this. I also know that You heal and You’re concerned with what concerns me. Will You heal me?”

The next day, my pain began to decrease. By day two, I had no pain whatsoever. Months later, no pain, no follow-up, no figuring it out—total healing in my wrist!

In John 2, Jesus and His mother were attending a wedding, but then a problem arose—the wine was running out. In Jewish tradition, weddings were eight-day events that included feasts every single day. (All the people who don’t like attending weddings, you’re getting off so easy in today’s culture!) And wine was a very important part of the wedding tradition. This wine wasn’t quite like modern-day wine (in terms of alcoholic content), and it was instrumental to the meals and celebrations. At this point in the story, it was most likely only day three of the eight, and Mary was probably feeling somewhat embarrassed for the family (some commentaries say Mary and Jesus may have been relatives of the wedding party) because it was way too early in the celebration for the wine to already be gone.

So Mary brings the problem to Jesus’ attention. But Jesus replies that it isn’t His problem because His time hasn’t come yet. Then two verses later, He quickly remedies the situation by performing His first miracle. He turns the water in nearby ceremonial washing jugs into not just wine but the very best wine at the wedding feast. Ultimately, what Mary was concerned about, Jesus was concerned about.

Jesus cares deeply about the things we are concerned about. Even the things that may not be life-threatening or life-changing. Running out of wine at a wedding feast was a big deal to Mary and those families back then, but it wasn’t necessarily life-threatening to them, and it wouldn’t have been life-changing if they had run out. Likewise, my painful wrist wasn’t life-threatening to me that day, and if Jesus hadn’t healed it, it wouldn’t have been life-changing. But that day He reminded me by healing me that He truly cares about the things that concern me.

One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 138:8, which says, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever.” The word “perfect” in Hebrew means “to bring to completion, bring to a finish or plead my case.” Whatever is concerning you today, the Lord wants to complete it, finish it, or plead your case for it. It doesn’t matter how big or small it is. If it is concerning to you, it is concerning to Jesus. He cares about what concerns you, so bring your concerns to Him.

Prayer

Lord, thank You that You care about what concerns me. Your Word says that You will perfect (bring to completion, finish, or plead my case) anything that is concerning to me. I ask that You do this for me. I give those things to You: [name whatever is concerning to you today]. I trust You to move on my behalf because You care for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For Further Reflection

• Write down the times Jesus has been faithful to take care of a concern you have had. Reminding ourselves of times when He has been faithful gives us faith that He will be faithful again.
• Have you ever felt uncared for by the Lord? If so, ask Him in what ways He did care for you in that situation. Ask Him to show you times He has cared for you and you may not have even realized it. Allow Him to bring truth, revelation, and healing.

Holy Spirit, what are you saying to me?