STEPS by John OrtbergНамуна

THE PROBLEM: I CAN'T

Welcome back! Today, we’re taking a profound and challenging step together—admitting our brokenness and naming the areas of our lives where we are powerless. This is Step One.

In the Gospels, there’s a story of a man with a withered hand. He was in the synagogue, a place of faith, surrounded by people and burdened by his inadequacy. His hand, which he likely kept hidden from view, represented not just physical disability but also shame, stigma, and a sense of failure–something most of us can relate to.

Jesus, however, noticed him. Even in his disability, Jesus saw him. And in an act of both compassion and challenge, Jesus told the man to do the very thing he believed he could not: “Stretch out your hand.”

The man obeyed. He stood in front of everyone, exposed his greatest shame, and did what felt impossible. That moment was not just about physical healing—it was a declaration that God’s power meets us precisely where we are weakest.

This is the heartbeat of what we call the Fellowship of the Withered Hand. It’s not a club for the perfect or the capable; it’s a place where brokenness is no longer hidden. In this Fellowship, your inadequacies don’t disqualify you—they qualify you to receive God’s strength.

So… What’s your ‘withered hand’? Where in your life do you feel powerlessness? Maybe it’s a habit you can’t break, a fear you can’t shake, or a pain you can’t heal. Before you move forward, take a moment to name it. Write it down, even if only for yourself.

Know that this isn’t about fixing anything today. It’s about admitting: I am not fine. And that’s okay. That’s where God begins His best work.

I’ll see you tomorrow as we take the next step together. And remember, in the Fellowship of the Withered Hand, weakness is not a bad thing—it’s the place where grace begins.

TODAY'S INVITATION:

1. Pray: Ask God to reveal the areas of your life where you are powerless and need His strength.

2. Reflect: Honestly name your withered hand. What is the part of your life that you’d rather hide, but which God wants to heal?

3. Journal: If you feel led, write down your reflection. Be specific. This step of naming your powerlessness is the first act of surrender.