Turning Points: WHEN WE'RE STUCK

Ever been stuck? Me too. Whether the car is stuck in the mud, our career is locked up, or an important relationship is frozen- being unable to generate movement can be frustrating. At least we can take comfort in the fact that we aren't alone. Getting stuck seems to be a part of the human experience. It can also mean that we're on the verge of a turning point.

REALLY STUCK
John 5 tells the story of a man who had been stuck (on multiple levels) for a long time. Like 38 years. And I've been whining that it took the USPS 3 weeks to forward my mail when I moved! I officially repent. Jesus meets this guy as he sits by the pool of Bethesda- a spot where many invalids camped out with the hope of being healed when an angel stirred the water. The image below is a model of what the pool might have looked like in Jesus' day.


QUESTIONS
When we find ourselves in situations we can't seem to get out of, we ask questions. Some aren't really helpful: "Why did this happen to me?" "Why can't I catch a break?" "How come no one will help me?" Others are more constructive: "How did I get here?" "What can I try next?" "What can I learn from this?" Jesus' interaction with the handicapped man in John 5 suggests several questions we might want to ask the next time we find ourselves stuck.

Do We Really Want To Change?
Jesus begins his conversation with this question. On one hand, it seems too obvious. Of course, the man wants to get better. Why else would he be at the pool where miraculous healings are rumored to happen? On the other hand, this simple inquiry is a great starting point. Instead of assuming the man wanted to be healed, Jesus asks. (Those of us who are trying to follow Jesus take note: Jesus doesn't force Himself on people. We probably shouldn't either.) This question gives the man a chance to check his level of motivation and desire. Sure, he probably didn't want to be paralyzed, but was he ready for his world to be redefined? Had he lost hope altogether? Was he comfortable just being stuck? What about us? Do we really want to change those areas of our lives that we've been complaining about?

Are We Willing To Try Something New?
The man's response to Jesus isn't what we'd expect. If you've been paralyzed or sick for 38 years and someone asks if you want to get better, the answer should be some direct form of affirmative. Either an excited or sarcastic tone would work nicely here. Instead, the man talks about what he's been trying that hasn't worked. Jesus asks him to try something new. Makes sense. If we want to head a new direction, we'll probably need to venture into the land of "haven't ever done that before". This guy does. As a result he does 3 things that have alluded him for the last 38 years. Will we show the same kind of faith and guts?

Are We Clear On The Risks?
We live in a society plastered with warning labels- on our medications, the toys we buy our kids, even on our coffee cups. While risk is an inherent part of life, the potential difficulties multiply when we attempt to get out of a rut. For example, the people around us might not be happy for us when we get unstuck. After he is made whole, the former invalid packs up his gear and heads home. He walks vigorously, with a bounce in his gait and a triumphant tune on his lips. And he gets called down. The man that Jesus healed probably expected others to celebrate with him. But they don't . They don't see the man or his miracle. The same may happen to us. Some of the people we expect to be really supportive of our new direction might question, demean or rebuke us. Hopefully not- but it might happen.

Getting unstuck carries another sort of risk- God might send us in a new direction. Later, Jesus finds this man in the temple- most likely worshiping after being banned for 38 years due to his disability. Jesus message: now that you're unstuck- choose a different path. Why is it that so many of us complain about feeling stuck with God, but don't do much to change the situation? Maybe we're afraid that Jesus will say something similar to us, or reaffirm His leadership in our lives. "Hmmm", we think, "Guess being stuck doesn't seem so bad after all.

CELEBRATING BETHESDA
Even if you've never read John 5 before, you've probably heard the name "Bethesda". 14 U.S. states have cities with this moniker. Why? There's something beautiful about seeing someone get unstuck. The name "Bethesda" is the combination of two Hebrew words that mean "house of grace". Sounds good doesn't it? Some scholars note that one of those words can mean either disgrace or grace. As folks thought about this pool of water where miracles happened, they saw people coming in their "disgrace"- with illness and limitations, and finding "grace".

Makes a lot of sense that Jesus would have showed up there doesn't it? He meets us in our "disgrace" and brings "grace" to those of us who have the desire, faith and courage to follow His lead. And this often happens in the times and places where we're stuck.

May each of us find some "Bethesda" this week.

REFLECT:
Q: Think about a time in your life when you got stuck. How did it happen? How did you get unstuck?

Q: Is there a part of your life where you feel stuck today? How long has it been this way? How do you feel about it? What have you tried to get things moving?

Q: Which of the questions in the post above is the most pertinent to your situation right now? The most challenging?

Q: Have you ever faced opposition from the people in your life when you made some changes that were important to you? What happened? How did you feel? Respond?

Q: Which is scarier to you right now- staying stuck in your relationship with God- or having Jesus send you in a new direction? Why?