How Desperate are you for a breakthrough?
Mark 2:1-4 – And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the room where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.
Are you desperate for a breakthrough…Or are you satisfied with where you are?
In the journey of life, oftentimes, the only way you will get your breakthrough is through desperate pursuit.
I believe that God intentionally designed it so because He loves seekers. He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him – Hebrews 11:6b
Desperation is defined by the free dictionary as “having an urgent need or desire”.
The story of the paralytic man was such.
He and his friends were desperate for the healing for the man’s paralysis and Jesus was their only option. They probably heard of the miracles he had done for others and they knew they had to get to him.
It was not going to be an easy feat. They faced multiple obstacles in their quest to access Jesus.
Let’s take a look at the obstacles they encountered:
1. The crowd – lots of people, known to them and unknown and there for different reasons.
2. No room – There were more people than available space in the house. It was not a stadium or arena.
3. The disability of paralysis – due to his condition, the man had to be carried by four men making it impossible to maneuver in an already overcrowded room.
I find it particularly interesting that it was not recorded that any of the people there were moved by the condition of this paralytic man enough to make room for him to access Jesus.
Everyone in the crowd had their own personal agenda. Selfish you may call them but the grueling truth is that we may not get the empathy of everyone we feel we need when we face the challenges of life but we must know that God will still send us help through other helpers of destiny who will be committed to us.
It may also be helpful to add that God’s ways are different from ours…most of the time, he uses less to achieve more. (Read the story of the exploits of Gideon in Judges 6-8)
What are the obstacles in your path to achieving God’s purpose for your life?
Sometimes, your condition or life circumstance can leave you without options and desperate for a breakthrough. It was the same situation with the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48).
Desperation makes you dogged, relentless, persistent and focused.
Nothing short of what you desire will do.
These men were not satisfied standing outside the house where Jesus was, like many were. There were many also, near the door as well and many may even have left when they discovered there was no more room but not this man and his friends. They were not discouraged enough to quit their quest.
Desperation makes you ingenuous and creative…It is often said that “necessity is the mother of invention“. When the need for something becomes imperative, you are forced to find ways of getting or achieving it.
Their desperation birthed an idea, albeit unconventional, but it worked…they uncovered the roof and brought the man to Jesus!
Your desperation and subsequent action is a measure of your faith in that venture. (In this case, in the person and power of Jesus)
Mark 2:5 – When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you”
Jesus was obviously impressed by their tenacity and knew that it was because of their faith that they put in so much work. For faith without works is dead, being alone…! (James 2:20)
Your desperation will yield results if you don’t faint or get discouraged…so, remain tenacious in pursuit of your destiny and your breakthrough will be sure.
I am happy to journey with you!