Chapter 4 Before He Gives You Legs

The air is thick in your room and it feels like you might still be asleep, maybe in some continuation of a nightmare, because you can't get out of bed. You can't move, period.

No, unfortunately, your eyes are open and you're very much awake and this thing holding you back is quite real; it pins you to the sheets and molds you into some contour of an existence you’ve always known.

Just like yesterday, and the day before, there are some who know what it is that cripples you, and so, they'll force your hand. Perhaps a call will do it this morning—a rousing, perky promise that the sun will shine today and it will pierce through every doubt that shrinks your body and your perception.

Day in and day out you hear from these companions and they remind you simply to live and to muddle through it. And they tell you they'll help you see it through to the other side.

But still, you know that the love of friends is merely a soothing balm—one that fills your cracked and bleeding skin; yet, all too quickly, it fades away.

True healing is always out of reach.

All the same, this morning, they come again. Hands attached to deliberate arms wedge in on every corner to find a grip of you. You’d fight them off if you had the strength, but it’s no use. Sure, they understand why you’re hesitant. Too many empty, unfulfilled promises have come and gone.

Still, they lift you up and out of bed, for this particular day bears a promise unlike any other. Soon your perspective is quite different as you’re carried outdoors. They've heard of unspeakable healing, and, knowing what's best for you, you're now being delivered with a steady purpose toward something.

Your friends look down at you and they smile in unison, for they know this is it.

Finally.

The journey starts to get a little bumpy and oddly enough, you’re being lifted up even higher as the voices around you start to intensify. You’re in a crowd of people and some others join in to boost you over a ledge. All you can see is open sky and bright blue. There’s talk of what to do next and some strange noises and maneuvering and all of a sudden you’re being lowered into a room. Some heated discussion is taking place there—you can hear it as you enter—but your mere presence hushes the crowd. You feel awkward, intrusive, and out of place. At this point, though, despite the embarrassment, you're willing to try anything because, really, what have you got to lose?

The uncomfortable silence lasts only for a moment. Somehow you’re not at all out of place when you finally lock your eyes with his and he’s the One you were meant to see. His face is kind and there’s a knowing familiarity with everything that’s been paralyzing you.

Desperately now, even though you’ve suffered with this for a lifetime, you can’t wait another moment for him to touch you and heal you. You’d reach up to him if you could, but of course, you can't. This man with the beautiful eyes pauses and studies you as the crowd waits in anticipation. He draws in your friends to huddle over you. He tells them that he’s overwhelmed by their boldness in seeking him out and their perseverance in finding a way through perceived barriers.

Then he kneels down to you, very closely now, and he tells you your sins are forgiven.

Whoa! You’re a little overwhelmed by his boldness, and his way of doing things, the order of it all, for surely this was more about the healing of your body and this thing that cripples you, day in and day out. But, instead he’s going straight for the jugular and some sin that lives within, that lies beneath, with your friends and every other conceivable person bearing witness to it all. A murmur of whispers spreads through the crowd for surely this man is doing the unthinkable.

Silencing them, he tells you to get up and walk now. And so you do! Just like that, with your loyal companions beside you and tears are in their eyes for this day has been a long time coming.

Your muscles are weak from not being used, and so you’ll need some help getting get back home and with the simple living of a normal, healthy life. Still, you can’t keep from rejoicing, for you’ve been healed through and through. You and those who would carry you boldly came and sought the company of the One who keeps his promises and touches you and reconciles you to him first before he gives you legs and feet to walk again. You smile as you embark on this new day, for others are watching and wondering how they too might walk free from the existence they've always known.

And so, indeed, the sun will shine today. And just like your friends promised, it will pierce through every doubt that shrinks your body and your perception.

Because true healing is never out of reach.