Just a word
My two year old rode his first roller coaster this summer and it was hilarious! Roller coasters are kind of like a right of passage for my thrill seeking family. As we climbed the first hill, he smiled with excitement. His smile rapidly morphed into a scream as the ride dipped, turned, and sped around its course. Afterward, he looked me directly in the face and said, “Let’s do it again daddy!” I think we rode that coaster 10 times! We spent hours at the park riding, eating, and just enjoying the day. Just about to leave my son broke down crying in an inconsolable fit. The only accepted solution was to head back to kiddie land for a few more rides.
How many times can you tell your kid, “This is the last ride?”
The final final ride he got on was the rotating strawberries. It slowly ascended into the air and then gradually descended while rotating.
All of sudden the park became deafening silent. Every sound from every automated machine, game, and ride ceased.
My heart launched into my throat as my son yelled, “Save me Daddy” while suspended several feet in the air. I could not reach him with my hands but I knew my words would get to him.
“Be calm…daddy won’t leave you. I will make sure you get down safely!”
What do you do when you can’t physically reach someone in need? How do you help an individual you can’t hold? Can you imagine wanting to save someone you care for but having to wait for someone else to solve the problem?
The Gospel of Matthew chapter eight reveals the story of a Roman officer who crossed Jesus’ path. The officer was absolute in his intentions with Jesus. He had a sick soldier that only Jesus could heal. The officer was not concerned with how well he himself knew Jesus but rather the fact that he knew Jesus had healing authority and his soldier needed help.
My favorite part of the story is Matthew 8:8,“The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.”
The officer understood that a touch from Jesus could fix it all but even if Jesus could not reach him physically – the strength of his statements would do the work.
My friend often says, “Words mean things” and I often tell my child, "Use your words."
When we speak the Word of God…
When we live the Word of God…
When we exercise the Word of God…
When we stand on the Word of God….
Whatever it is that is opposing you has to fall in submission even if you are seeking and speaking a word for someone else’s healing.
I argue that the soldier's healing took place in two parts:
1. The moment the officer cried out “Lord” – Romans 10:13 says salvation is for everyone that calls on the name of the Lord.
2. The moment Jesus said “Go” – If Jesus says it – that determines it.
So how do you reach someone you can’t touch?
If you understand that a phone can connect people that are continents away how great is the connectivity of prayer. A call to Jesus can meet anyone at the point of their need. When you can’t fix it physically do it audibly.
Your prayer goes quicker than your presence.
Before the park’s maintenance team arrived, there was a level of calm in my son’s rotating strawberry. He was in the strawberry with two other terrified children. The difference was that my son could hear his father’s voice. And, when my son called on his father, he received enough comfort to share his peace with them.
After nearly 40 minutes suspended in the air, the park’s maintenance staff arrived at the ride. The strawberries completed their decent and the boys rapidly exited the ride like nothing had happened.
There is something about a word that provides supernatural peace and healing…
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