Healing

I am acquainted with a small orthodox group of Saints with whom I communicate endlessly. Many, whom I have known for years, are close friends; some I have never met in person. It is my loss. They are caring, giving, sharing and have in common our mutual love of Jesus Christ. Their faith runs deep and I am the better for hearing their thoughts.

A recent and recurring topic of discussion is healing. Strong Restorationist believers have a thorough understanding of the marvelous gifts of the Holy Spirit. We do not see them as a biblical anachronism. We understand these gifts to be available today just as they were when the Master walked among us.

Most commonly, we use our elders as an avenue of access to these spiritual gifts and especially healing. These good men are ordained to the power to communicate our cares to the Almighty. They exist as an important component of the healing equation. Regardless of their individual beliefs, peculiarities, and opinions, they have the commission to go before God to achieve the desired ends. This is a charge they all take very seriously.

Just about anyone who has so much as casually allowed his scripture to open is bound to find a reference supporting God’s interest in this procedure. There is a wealth of references to the healing available. Strong’s Concordance cites 143 scriptures for “heal” and its variations. God has offered to make us whole on countless occasions. His interest in our welfare often goes well beyond our understanding so we need to examine the vital remaining factor.

We must have faith. You are in your closet and I in mine and we both pray mightily for relief from pain or incapacity from our all-too-human bodies. Absent the elders, we pray on our own and beseech Him to bring the blessed relief we seek. If it does not come, then what? Did we not use the right words? Was He busy saving tsunami victims or feeding some helpless starving soul? The answer to that is a resounding No! If we pray for His will for us, He will be attentive and not at the cost of ignoring other complaints. It is altogether possible that His will and ours may well be on a different path. I choose not to second guess the mind of God.

Having been the recipient of His healing powers, may I conclude that my faith is stronger than my brother who still suffers? I don’t think so. I do trust God implicitly to deliver His will in whatever form it may take. I clearly understand that my interpretation of His actions may differ from His. Selfishly I see my problems as vital but I also realize that He may not. Just because I don’t understand doesn’t mean I should chuck the whole proceedings and take what comes. Like so many other gifts from Him, I realize I must seek Him for them to become reality. I must express my acknowledgement of His all-consummate power and accept His will for me in the matter whether it be healing, discernment or whatever.

I do rejoice that He has provided me a physical condition which defies my years. In His marvelous design for life and ageing, it is only reasonable to expect some decline. I can’t stay twenty-five forever. Every visit to the barber, we have the same exchange. He says, “How do you want it?” I invariably reply, “Just make me look gorgeous as usual.” We both laugh and then inwardly realize the folly of the conversation. He probably wonders just how he can turn an old log into a lithe, slender branch. I ruefully think upon my youth when I presented a fairly acceptable figure of a man. He then gives me a “boot camp” haircut and we both proceed from there. For all I know, he may also be silently reflecting on the ravages of his age. Simply stated, one of these days, His will may be to deny me the healing I have so richly enjoyed. What ever lies ahead, I am content to yield to His intent.

As the woman touched the hem of the garment of Christ and was healed, He said, “thy faith has made thee whole.” For this reason and many others, I see the principal factor in the healing process as our own individual faith and the understanding of it. My prayer for each of you in this life is to live it as long as you love it and to love it as long as you live it.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon