There is a great story about Jesus in the book of Luke, Chapter 7. The story tells of a Roman soldier who's well-loved servant was dying. The soldier was a centurion who was in charge of 100 men and he sent for Jesus because he believed Jesus was sent from God. The study tells us "apparently he recognized that the Jews possessed God's message to mankind and it is recorded that his servant loved the nation of Israel and had helped to build its synagogue. The centurion, rather than coming to Jesus himself, sent Jewish elders to Jesus to ask for his help. As an army captain, he delegated work and sent groups on missions." Therefore, he assumed Jesus would do the same and He would "but say the word and my servant will be healed." (Luke 7:7) and in verse 9, Jesus answered, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel."
The study goes on to say, "This centurion's faith was especially amazing to Jesus because he was a Gentile who had not been brought up to know a loving God."
Many of us have not been brought up to know a loving, faithful, good God, either. Yet, we, too, can come to believe in God, to know without question that God is good and He is glad to give us His gift of life. All we need do is ask for it, praise God for it, and use our lives to do His will.
The Centurion in his faith saw God at work in the healing of his servant through the message sent by Jesus. It would be interesting to know how his life changed through Christ's gift of healing. Perhaps we must imagine all that may have changed for him, by seeing the change in our own lives!
What manifests change? First, we must ask. Then, we must trust, even when or if it appears that there has been no change at all. In fact, some circles suggest we act as if there is a change. Acting as if sounds a little fake to me, but its reasoning is the act, even if it is not natural, can become natural in time.
What is it that might need change? Old bad habits that might hurt others or ourselves, or God. Speech patterns, such as speaking cruelly about another, or using words that are not kind or are gutter-like. Our mouths sometimes need over-hauls, our eyes need to send gentleness and kindness, our hearts need to be more charitable. Everything about us needs to be checked over by God. He will let us know in kind ways just what is needed--and a little at a time. He does not demand. He suggests, with sincerity. Sometimes we have hurtful thoughts about ourselves and these things may be the most difficult to change.
All in good time. The main thing is to trust God and be sincere. He will show you the way.
As I send out this blog to the unknown world, I pray that whomever it contacts will come to know the love of God. There is no other love like it and is the model for what we have come to know as love, which has all the elements of trust, joy, sharing, and goodness.
He is showing me the way to truly love,
Jo in MN
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