You know how when you're reading a novel you grow attached to the characters because you feel like you really get to know them? The same can probably be said of a TV show. There are certain nuances you recognize in a character's personality, and the more time you spend with that character, the more you feel like you know him, like you can almost predict how he'll respond in a certain situation.
For some reason, I've never viewed the Gospels as a way to get to know Jesus. I can recite His character traits in two minutes - He's good, loving, faithful, etc. - but His personality? Not so much. How did He interact with others? Was He funny, serious? Did He laugh, cry? What made Him human?
In order to discover more about Jesus, I decided to read through the Gospels slowly, trying to pick up on details I'd missed probably a hundred times before. It didn't take long for me to discover some really awesome things. Here's one from Luke 4: "Then, as the sun was setting, all those who had friends suffering from every kind of disease brought them to Jesus and he laid his hands on each one of them separately and healed them" (v. 40, emphasis added).
Late in the day, at sunset, when most people were headed home after a long day's work to eat, rest, and enjoy their families, Jesus took the time to lay His hands on each sick person that was brought to Him, and scholars believe there were a lot of sick people.
Being human, Jesus was probably tired from His long day - He had already taught in the synagogue, cast out a demon, and visited Simon's house to heal his mother-in-law. He could have just done a group healing session that evening to make it quick so He could get home to rest, but He didn't. He spent time with each and every person that was brought to Him, laid His hands on them individually, and healed them. What a testament to the personal and compassionate nature of our Lord!
It's so easy to forget in the midst of my suffering that God is a personal God, that He sees me, loves me, and personally ministers to me. He doesn't do group healing sessions, lumping me in with a million other people so He can wave a magic wand over a sea of bodies to expedite the process. No, the healing and comfort He gives me are deeply personal, because He knows me intimately - my thoughts, my dreams, even the number of hairs on my head - and He has a specific purpose for my life that He wrote in His book before I was even born (Psalm 139:16).
One experience I've had with the personal comfort the Lord provides came in the form of a red bird.
Matt and I hike a great trail outside of Nashville, called Radnor Lake, several times a week, and we get to see lots of wildlife there - deer, turkeys, turtles, geese, and owls. But one of our favorite things to see are red birds. During some seasons, there aren't a whole lot there, so it's a real treat to spot one. Well, one day Matt and I had gone on a hike after receiving some disappointing news about a job we thought he might get but didn't. This particular job seemed like an ideal fit. But for reasons outside of our control, the job fell through. We talked about our disappointment as we walked, reminding each other that God sees us and hears us, and that we have to trust in Him even when it seems like He’s forgotten about us. But we just felt deflated.
Toward the end of our hike, we realized we hadn’t seen a red bird yet. We only had about 5 minutes left on the trail, and Matt had mentioned several times that he’d really like to see a red bird. So I started praying we’d see one.
I know it might sound silly, but that night I needed confirmation from the Lord that He did in fact see me and Matt in the midst of our disappointment. So for the last few minutes, I silently prayed: “Lord, we really want to see a red bird because we need to know that You haven’t forgotten about us. Please, Lord, if you hear me, command a red bird to fly out in front of us so we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Your eyes are on us.”
We were about 10 paces from finishing the trail when, out of nowhere, a beautiful red bird flew straight in front us. It was so close we could have touched it! Tears welled up in my eyes at the goodness of God. When we got in the car, I told Matt what I had prayed and encouraged him again that God hears even our smallest, silliest requests. We are never forgotten. We are always heard. Just like in Luke 4, Jesus ministered to us personally that night, and it happened to be in the form of a red bird.
Today, open your eyes to see the ways God is personally ministering to you. And let what you see encourage your heart that He knows exactly where You are, and He's right there with you.
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