Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:3-5 NIV)
I spoke at a women's event last week, and there was a woman whose name was pulled for a really cool giveaway. I'm talking about a really nice prize. After hearing her name called three times, I realized she wasn't there. Since I knew her, I thought about claiming the prize for her. The host then reminded everyone that they must be present to win. No one can claim the prize for you. Unfortunately, HER prize was given to someone else. Someone who showed up.
I couldn't help but wonder how many prizes have I left on the table simply because I never went into the room. Who walked out with my job because I didn't show up for the interview? Who walked out with my friend because I was too tired to get out? How many of us are missing out on relationships, opportunities, careers, and healing because we are not showing up to claim them?
Your answered prayer is in the room, but where are you?
I've said this before, but I will repeat it. There are some blessings you have to show up for. Yes, what God has for you is for you, but YOU have to be willing to do the work to get to it. So here are four quick lessons from today's devotional that you need to know about your show up.
1.) Your faith will be the catalyst to someone else's breakthrough. Jesus forgave the paralytic of his sins and healed him because of the faith of the men that got him there. Sometimes the prize is not for us but for who God will bless through us. Someone needs you to show up so that they can get up! Don't take that lightly. Where are you going, and who will be healed because you showed up?
2.) Your healing is in the room. There are people, blessings, and opportunities in rooms you are too busy, too tired, and too afraid to enter. Or, maybe you feel like there are already too many people going for what you desire. Remember, God does not operate in scarcity. There is no shortage in His love, healing, and peace. The men didn't let the crowd stop them from getting to Jesus. Sometimes you have to work a little harder to get to where you want or need to be, but don't ever let hard work be why you don't meet your goal. Where there is God's will, there is always a way. Get in the room.
3.) It's ok to let other people help you. I know many of you aren't showing up because you feel stuck. While I have never physically been paralyzed, I know how it feels to be stuck. Maybe you're mentally or emotionally stuck, and you just don't have it in you to show up. I get it. In those seasons of my life, I learned that I needed to know how to be ok with being carried. When was the last time you let someone carry you? Don't let your pride, trust issues, or ego stop you from going where God is trying to take you, even if that means you have to lean on people around you to get you there.
4.) You need to move by Faith. The scripture says that the man was healed because of his friends' faith. His friends believed that supporting him was the right thing to do. They had to believe that getting him to Jesus (by any means necessary) would change his life. BUT the man had to have a little faith in the people carrying him. He could have asked them to put him down, but he was moved by faith instead. Faith heals, forgives, and transforms. So if you're going to show up, make sure you show up believing that there is something in the room for you.
I need you to show up. Whether you're the carrier or being carried, your presence is needed. Don't get caught up in too much, too little, too many. There is nothing too hard for God. I don't know what rooms you've been avoiding, but I want to encourage you to get to them because you must be present to win. Show up and claim what's yours.
My Prayer for you: Lord, thank You for reminding us to get up and show up. God, I pray you open our eyes to the rooms we belong in. God give us the confidence to walk through the door. When we feel overwhelmed by the number of roadblocks that continue to come our way or the number of people it appears to be in our lane, God remind us that there is always a way. And that there is never too little of You. God remind us of your abundance and check us in our scarcity mindset. God give us the spirit of ingenuity and creativity to create space in rooms we never thought we could get in. God show us when it’s time to carry and when it’s time to be carried and empower us with the faith we need to do both. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Our next TEA Party is June 25th. There is something/ someone in the room for you, but girl you gotta show up for it. Register here.
