Consider the ministry experience of the team that took the paralytic to Jesus.* The four friends had a goal to see to it that the paralyzed man had an encounter with Jesus. They had an active faith, believing that involving Jesus would make a big difference. But they had challenges to work through. They were working with a man that was immobile and had to be carried. There were no handicap ammenities like wheel chairs, special aisles or elevators. There were crowds to get through in a small venue to meet the Great Physician. But they had a plan—they had to plan as a team.

Put yourself there. They had to carry the man to the venue, then bring the stretcher to the roof without hurting their friend. They had to have tools with them to open the roof. They had to have studied the situation to know where Jesus was standing. They had to bring ropes to lower the man down and had to coordinate their movements to keep the man level. It was hard work that involved faith, and Jesus noticed.

Jesus first dealt with the spiritual condition, “Your sins are forgiven.” That perplexed everyone, but it was probably at that point he was healed inside and out. All that was left was to demonstrate the healing with the instruction to “take up your bed and walk.”

Jesus is Lord. He meets us when we step out in faith and work through the barriers to accomplish what He has put in our hearts, and He meets us at the point of need. Do you have an interest in making a difference for God? Let the missions community help you work through whatever barriers you are facing to make an impact for eternity. Start the Journey here.