Then Jesus said to the Samaritan cleansed from leprosy, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17.19 – NRSV)

 

By Ram Lopez

6 October 2016

 

“Your faith…”

My faith. Our faith.

There’s not much faith

in my fear-filled life. Awaiting

Your healing Word

in the midst of my brokenness

is a trial of endurance.

Can I hang on?

Will I find the other side?

Or will I, like Moses, reach the edge

of the journey home, see the

longed-for shore

and be denied entrance?

“Your faith,” you say.

But it is not my faith that can carry

my burdened heart. I need

Your faith. Your faith in Your

Father’s love, in your Father’s

powerful desire for all of me.

 

“…has made you well.”

Curious is my new reality.

I no longer bear the outward

signs of my illness. This is not

a new experience. Often have

the wounds covered over

giving the appearance of curing.

Yet, deep within, I felt the seeds

of sickness germinating,

awaiting the moment

of painful sprouting yet again.

But by your Word the

wounds have scabbed and

I do not feel the silent regrouping

of the sickness massing to

mount it’s next charge.

I feel well. I sense change deep

within.  All that remains are

scars from the battle I could not

fight or win. But You, Your Faith,

has made me well. Your Word

has the power to heal.  Your

Faith gives power to trust.

“Go your way,” You said. And

I go. Yet I know I do not travel alone

any longer. I am well. All is well.

 

“…go on your way…”

My journey to the far edge of life

continues on and on. Yet, though

many miles have grown between

that moment and now, You are

with me. As the longed-for shore

of Life becomes more focused

within my sight, I have no despair.

The edge is but the first step of

a new journey.  By Your Faith,

I will walk into the place

where no sickness, no pain

roams.  Only the Promised Life

of Hope, Mercy and Love

walking in plain Sight of

the One who takes my sickness

and gives me His Wholeness

inviting my thankful praise.