“Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” (Luke 13:16). With these words, Jesus healed the woman.
This morning, as I was reading this passage, I was struck by the power of Jesus to heal. Even more, I was impressed by his understanding of our situation. Jesus himself describes the years as long years.
Jesus understands that suffering, pain, and waiting turns days into long days, and years into long years. I am convinced this is one reason Jesus acted on the woman’s behalf. He wanted her long years to be over.
The woman we read about in this passage is not the only one who has experienced a long wait. You may have experienced a long wait in your life too!
My ninety-six-year-old mother-in-law lost her home in the recent Eaton Fire in California.
Since that time, she has been living with her daughter. Her daughter and her husband have given her their downstair’s master bedroom and are sleeping upstairs in twin beds. She is hoping to move into a rental in the relatively near future, but she has not heard anything yet. Needless to say, these are long days for her. Long days to remember what was… a beautiful home she lived in with her husband since 1976 … now gone.
Maybe there are circumstances in your life that have turned these into long days for you. You are wondering if they will ever end.
As you ask questions, you wonder if God sees your situation. You may even wonder if there is a God who sees! Even more, you wonder if he cares.
God both sees your situation and he knows how you feel. He understands long! Because He does, we can pray to Him with confidence. He knows how to comfort us in our long waiting, and He will act on our behalf at the right time.
Maybe, like me, you find this thought to be extremely encouraging. But you may also be asking the question: “How are you able to see what you do in Scripture that gives you such confidence in God? I would like to be able to do the same.”
I believe you can. Let me tell you a little about a program offered through the Renewing Life Center that is designed to help you go deeper with God.
The Spiritual Formation Institute (SFI) offers four retreat experiences each year.
During these times you will see how near God is to you, how involved He has already been in your life, and how He wants to speak to you. You will receive the tools to hear His voice in and through the Scriptures. You will learn about relational rhythms which will help you draw near to God, and how you can establish them in your life.
There’s so much more. If you would like to meet with a Spiritual Director at the Renewing Life Center you can. Each Spiritual Director (similar to a counselor but with more focus on your spiritual life) is trained to walk with you where you’re walking NOW. Their intention is to listen to you but also listen how the Lord would guide you where you are now. If you are curious, go to our website and look through the Spiritual Directors listed there. Read their bio! Choose one that seems to fit with you and where you are in your life.
I believe so strongly in SFI because it incorporates so many things that have deepened and sustained my own relationship with God over the years. I invite you to check it out here.
Remember, you have a friend who knows long better than you do.
Pat Meye, Spiritual Formation Institute Director