Way-Finding Friends

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While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:2-5)

I don't know about you, but I want these kinds of friends in my life! I want friends who will 'bare-handedly' remove rooftops for me! I want to know that regardless of my ability or faith, they are right there when I have needs I may not be able to handle on my own or even recognize I have a way to have to have those needs met outside of the 'normal' way of meeting them. How about you? Do you have those kinds of friends? Do they recognize a need in your life even before you recognize it yourself? If you do, you are truly blessed!

The crowd wasn't too much for them - they saw the need of their friend and it would take an army to stop them! They dug a hole in the roof - nothing was stopping their friend from getting in front of the Lord of Lords. We actually don't need namby-pamby, wishy-washy faith friends. We need 'roof removing', 'get 'er done' friends - nothing being too great of an obstacle to get our need before the Lord. One thing I have observed to be true - faith isn't obstacle free. If we want our miracle, we are likely going to have to get past some obstacles in our path.

Seeing their faith - it wasn't the man's faith that Jesus took note of - it was the faith of the four friends. There are times when my faith is nothing to speak of - it wavers just like it does for you on occasion. When it doesn't match the faith needed to 'get 'er done', we'd actually do well to 'lean into' the faith of those God has provided as our spiritual companions in this journey. Why? They aren't affected by the intensity of our need - the intensity that actually paralyzes us and makes it difficult to bring ourselves before God on our own. They find a way where we see no way. 

I want 'way finding' friends. If you don't have those type of friends in your life, isn't it about time you find them? Just askin!

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