Grab A Mat
Reflections on a recent Sunday Morning at FWBF
Reference: Mark 2:1-11
I’ve had a few days to chew on the service brought forth Sunday at Firewheel Bible Fellowship, and its starting to take a different shape than I would’ve thought Sunday afternoon. As I’ve alluded to, the past few weeks have been tough for me and my family. Nothing insane or damaging long term, but a difficult few weeks. Selfishness, high stress, complaining, short tempers, ignoring spiritual needs, ungrateful thoughts… and as the head of the household, it all starts and ends with me.
So I’ve been fighting this, and at times it’d feel lonely. Yet I have friends who I confide in and men I meet with on a weekly basis so we can live out the principle laid out in Proverbs 27:17. As our pastor told the story that I have heard 1000 times, my heart sunk. Four guys, willing to go through so much trouble so that their broken friend may have the chance to find healing. Four guys willing to carry a mat up the side of a house, cut a whole in the roof, and slowly lower the paralytic to the feet of Jesus…
And Jesus says something quite amazing in verse five: “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”… did you catch it? When Jesus saw THEIR faith. While we must all make the individual decision to accept and believe in Christ, Jesus see’s all of their faith…
The faith of four men carried the faith of the fifth and redemption and healing were found. It struck a chord because there are times, despite having friends and a wife who are more than willing to carry my faith, i still struggle with loneliness. But God also gives me perspective and is quick to remind me of the blessings He has given me… true friends who are not only willing but DO carry me when I am faltering. Through encouraging words, prayers, phone calls, emails and gTalk chats…
To those who carry my mat… thank you with all my heart… it’s much needed.
But now the question remains. Who’s mat am I carrying? Am I doing enough for those who have crossed my path? Do I have what it takes to be the type of friend that Jesus can look up through the hole in the roof and say “Because of your faith…” …
Who’s mat are you carrying?
Popularity: 35% [?]
Category : 
great post…wow…love the analogy.
sometimes intercession is carrying a mat.
What grabs me is the question about my faith - is it visible enough to forgive someone else’s sin? Good stuff, J.
I’ve had some people carry my mat before, I’m pretty sure. But I can only hope that other’s have felt me carrying their mats.