THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 8:40-48
“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” (Luke 8:48)
Here again I am encouraged by the simple faith that Jesus honours.
It is not ‘understanding the faith’ (beliefs) that helps, heals, or saves us.
It is any move towards God – uncertain or desperate or confident – for help.
This woman would not have been ready for ‘profession of faith’ in my tradition.
But her desperate, cautious approach was enough for God.
I think of the desperate, cautious, hopeful people that I meet.
Theirs is not a faith that would meet the criteria for church membership.
But it is enough for membership in God’s family!
Who really are the members of God’s family, God’s church?
There are many desperate, cautious, struggling people not in our churches.
Some are looking elsewhere for hope because the church did not welcome them.
We need to welcome strugglers, doubters, questioners – even unbelievers.
They may not be ‘profession of faith’ material for our churches.
But they are ‘mustard seed of faith’ material for God (Luke 17:6).
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, forgive us for making it hard for people to reach out to You. May our church become a place that welcomes and blesses the same people you welcomed and blessed!