Hands On

Acts 3:^6-7 “But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly…”

Compassion. Faith. Action. Persistence. Our fifth lesson for the four men in Mark 2:1-12 is Creativity. These men were creative, they dared to do something different. Sometimes, we look at a situation and we accept defeat – it is my fault, these things are just the way they are so there is nothing I can do. But these men stayed focused on their mission, and they got creative because of their determination. If there is no way to get to Jesus, then we will make a way. If there is no door, then break the wall and make the door. They were creative; creativity sometimes is born out of necessity. They say necessity is the mother of invention. Sadly, some people have been in necessity without inventing anything. Africa used to be great at inventions but in recent times.

Necessity alone is not enough, necessity with creativity leads to traction. You may be in a fix, and you are asking God for direction. God is saying to you, be creative. You may be waiting on God to make a way out of the challenge, but God is saying, you make a way. The way God can make, you cannot make. The way you should make, God will not make. When you have been praying for God to make a way and it appears there is no way, you are the one to make a way. So, what are you going to do? Luke 5:¹⁹ “When they couldn’t find a way in because off the crowd, they went up on the roof, removed some tiles, and let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus.” (MSG, emphasis added). What God is saying to us here is, when was the last time you went through the roof for someone else? When was the last time you actually did something super crazy just because you wanted to help someone even though there was nothing in it for you?

If the answer does not readily come to mind, then this message is for you. You need to change your ways because it is your move now. When was the last time you raised the roof for someone else? When was the last time that someone had a free passage because you had cleared the way and you were not standing there to collect tax or toll fees? You cleared the way for their good and let God take the glory. When was the last time you did that? Heb. 10:²⁴ “Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out.” (MSG, emphasis added). This week, how inventive can you be in helping out, in showing love, in encouraging someone? We can be  creative in doing things to help. God expects you and I to be creative in helping.

The four friends in Mark 2 were creative; it was church unusual. What will happen if during a special service in church, everywhere is packed, no seats even in the overflow, even the car park is filled with people. And the power of God is alive and flowing in an undeniable way. Then suddenly, you hear movement on the roof. People have gotten in through the roof or are cutting the marquee with a knife and are lowering somebody in. What will the ushers and the security team do? We must bring these things home. Do you think what they did was easy?

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, show me creative ways to bring people to Jesus, in Jesus Name. Amen!