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MAY 3
SPIRITUAL STAGNATION
“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long
time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’” (Jn 5: 6)
This is the question Jesus poses to the paralyzed man, lying at the pool
of Bethesda. It’s quite a question, considering the fact that the man had
been lying there, powerless to do anything about his condition, for thirtyeight
years. Do you “want” healing?
But if I experience stagnation in certain areas, going around in circles with
the same sinful routine, and take a closer look at this, I will find that the
stagnation does have to do with this question: What do I really “want”?
Are other “wants” taking precedence over wanting what Christ wants for
me? He wants me to “arise, take up my bed and walk,” as He says to this
man at Bethesda; He wants me to get up and carry my cross, despite the
small or big defects with which I am challenged. But apparently for some
of us, like the man at Bethesda, it might take years and years to grow in
this willingness, to embrace the “want” of Christ.
Let me not despair today about areas of stagnation, but ask God to help
me grow in willingness, strength, and courage to do His will. Let me also
ask for the patience to wait for, and receive, His gifts in His time.
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