By “instructional,” I did mean “prompting people to think”!
My 3rd class last night was about healing. We read the story of Bartimaeus, which we’ve covered in the past. I’m always fascinating by the Lord’s asking Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” Supposed he’d replied, “I want fifty talents in gold!” or “I want everyone who has ever mocked or kicked me to be attacked and killed by rabid flying monkeys,” or even, “I want enough money to buy food for the next few days.” Instead, “Your faith has saved you.”
Someone once put up a list of questions Jesus asked, like with the man at the pool of Bethesda (today’s Gospel reading), “Do you want to be made well?” Lots to think about!
Indeed. And it's good stuff to think about, which is why I share.
Steven King (who is probably not the first person I'd think of for theological accuracy) once opined that if Jesus had omitted the name, "Lazarus," when he gave his command, "Come forth," that all the graves in the world would have been emptied that day.
I complain often about CFIDS, and bemoan the fact that I have it, but during the course of the disease (24 years at last count) I’ve come to realize that this challenge has been given to me for a reason, and though I can only speculate what that reason is, I often feel I’m not fulfilling my potential.
The disease is not commonly known, and those who know about it have not necessarily encountered it in their lives. The medicos are probably the worst skeptics about it, with family members coming in a very close second.
To say “Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome,” is often to instantly minimalize the disease and its effect on the victim. It is, in a way, my “job” to try and educate people about the disastrous effects this has on ones life.
Sometimes, I’m successful, sometimes I’m a pathetic failure. While I would like to have been able to reach the goals I had when I first started working for the county, I realize that this “job” is far more important. So if you hear me complain, it’s because the disease has overwhelmed me for that day, or that week.
But I have never lost faith that it is for ME to have this, and that I am possibly the best suited to educate others. And that’s the way it is, she sez, getting off her soap box.
:o]