Get Up!

In times of disappointment like defeat, fear, illness, or joblessness, we may feel stuck and unable to move forward. However, the message from John 5:3-9 offers hope and guidance during challenging times.

This passage talks about an impotent man of thirty-eight years who lay by the pool of Bethesda every day waiting to be placed in the pool to receive the same healing he watched others receive. Jesus saw the impotent man lying near the pool and asked, "Do you want to get well?" The helpless man replied, "When the water is troubled, I have no man to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth in before me." Then Jesus said, "Get up, pick up your mat and walk!" Immediately, he picked up his mat and walked.

This passage is a powerful analogy when we feel trapped in a cycle of disappointment or circumstances that seem hard to conquer or rise above. Just as Jesus offered healing and a new beginning to the impotent man, we can also find strength to overcome our challenges. First, we must recognize we want change, which will open the door to new possibilities.

"Get up, pick up your mat, and walk!" is a call to action. It requires us to take steps forward, even when it is difficult to leave behind the comfort of our old ways and embrace the unknown. Each small step we take is a victory over fear and victimization that can stem from various sources (e.g., abuse, discrimination, or systemic inequalities). We can reclaim our power to transform our lives and walk boldly into a future filled with hope and empowerment. Rise, pick up your mat, and walk into the life you deserve!