I’d be so happy if …

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” … He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:1-5, 12 NIV)

When the paralytic was carried to Jesus, I am sure all he kept thinking was “If only I could get off this mat and walk.  I’d give anything.  I’d be so happy if only I could walk.” But God knows us. He knows that our “so happy” usually lasts for only a month or two and then we are on to the next “so happy” moment. Jesus knew the paralyzed man needed more than to walk.  He needed to be forgiven. He needed a relationship with God. What is your “I’d be so happy if….” prayer? Truly, the only way we will be happy and stay happy is if we have a relationship with Jesus.

By Elaine Kapentanakis