Healed to Serve

“And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him.” Matthew 8:14-15

A friend is doing the brave, hard work of rebuilding a broken marriage. Having laid down her life for the one to whom she’d vowed, she is being healed and their union restored. One of the things I marvel at most is her desire to help others do the same–be healed by Jesus to serve Him. Like Peter’s mother-in-law, she acknowledges her life is not hers alone, and as a steward of rebirth, she cannot help but give back to Jehovah Rapha, her Healer.

Whatever the illness has been, the besetting sin habit, misplaced affections, relationships tainted by selfish motivation or bitter grudges or favoritism or manipulation, God can heal. And when He heals, He gives new purpose. “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

“When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all!”                                                                                               Isaac Watts, 1707

Come, Great Physician, touch and heal me from all that prevents me from fully living. Lift the fever of fear, sloth, pride, self-righteousness, worry, and free me to serve wholeheartedly, as unto You. May my every moment be spent for You, in any way You intend.