Kingdom Men Rising: An 8-Day Reading Plan Chikamu

Get Up

Have you ever gotten a card for your birthday, and you opened the envelope, but you didn’t even read the card; you just shook the card? You did this because you wanted to know if the person who sent you the card had given you any greenbacks in your card. Or, maybe, did they write a check? If you were to be honest, you would admit that you don’t even care that much about the card. You care about what’s in the card!

You and I both know how disappointing it is on your birthday to only get a card with nothing in it. Well, you can imagine how disappointed the lame man was in Acts 3 when Peter told him that he didn’t have any silver or gold to give him, especially since they had stopped in response to his begging. When you stop, that usually means you’re going to do something.

Sometimes delays are good for us. God has a habit of delaying His provision and intervention in our lives for a greater purpose. One of the purposes is to be sure He has our full attention first.

The lame man from Acts 3 was taken to the gate of the temple every day (v. 2). Even though this was an area with heavy foot traffic, he was likely ignored. As Peter and John walked by the lame man, Peter said, “Look at us!” (v. 4) Now, if Peter had to tell him to “look at us,” that means he wasn’t looking at them to begin with. That gives us great insight into this lame man. Peter needed this man’s undivided attention. He needed him to focus. He needed him to hear him. If this man truly wanted a solution, he’d need to pay close attention to Peter right then. He needed to be part of the solution.

Healing and empowerment are not a one-way gift through the touch of a magic wand. True healing requires your desire, responsibility, and focus. That’s why Jesus would often ask the question “Do you want to be made well?” He didn’t just walk around tapping people on the head, bestowing health and healing on whomever was near. Keep in mind, crowds of people flocked around Jesus wherever He went. Lines formed. Inevitably people walked away unhealed. Rather, Jesus would ask if the person was willing to be made whole. Healing and wholeness come in a process of belief and through a desire to be made well.

When God restores the parts of us that have been damaged by sin or wounded through personal neglect or harm, He wants our cooperation in the process. Without it, long-term progress cannot take place.

Just like it is rare for a man to lift a large amount of weights alone in a gym without a spotter or someone to encourage and help, growth in the spiritual life does not happen in a silo. We are all part of a collective process, cooperating with God and others in our healing and spiritual development. Our willingness to experience life more intimately with others and more humbly before God will have a large impact on how much lameness we are able to overcome, both individually and as a group.