"The grass is NOT greener on the other side"

"Before I knew Your name, You knew my every breath

Before I found my way, You knew my every step

Before I knew everything that I need, You gave it all to me

No greater love than this, that You should lay down Your life

For someone such as me, I spend a lifetime wondering why

The beauty of Heaven is here in my heart, and I know there can be

No greater love..."

Those words came from Rachael Lampa's song "No Greater Love". The song has inspired me a lot, especially when circumstances of my life seem to sing a negative tune. One of these days I shall perform this song. I'm playing it right now on my iTunes repeatedly and at the same time memorizing it.

I read about the "Man healed at the Pool of Bethesda" in John 5. I've heard this story quite a bit before and sometimes you're getting used to what you hear without even gleaning and really hearing the story. And I quote:

"Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the (healing) pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed and walked. But the one who was healed didn't know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."" (verse 5- 9a, 13-14)

There are many times, if we want to look at other people and see their successes, we think, "The grass is greener on the other side." And sometimes our own negativity blinded us from the blessings that already been promised to us as children of God. Our own negativities often left us infirmed and hopeless. But Jesus readily touched our lives and encourage us to get up and get on with our lives. It's like there's nothing to this "infirmities" of the world. And when Jesus touches a life, that life will be turned upright and uplifted. But once you're healed remember that the way of sin is pain and suffering and bondage. We need to train our thoughts and remind each and everyday that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13). Notice that the word "strengthens" is meant as present tense, and not past or future. It's meant for right now!

All in all, even as the Bible said, the man left Jesus without even acknowledging Him; left Him without even knowing His name. Jesus just readily extend His help before we even knew Him. and often times, in good situation, we just celebrated and let Jesus 'withdrawn', hidden, behind our happiness. Just remember that in every state of situation we're in, there's He who loves us most!

Note: All Bible verses are taken from the New King James Version