Sophia Loe

Trust that God will work in our lives, even if we’ve been waiting for a long time.

I have been coming to St. Albans for a little over two years now. I am thrilled to be serving as a campus intern and being a part of this wonderful community my freshman year!

“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.”" - John 5:6-7

Click here to read the appointed scripture for Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Lent.

Devotional

The reading from John describes one of the many, many miracles that Jesus performed. One detail in this story that stands out is Jesus asking the man, "Do you want to be made well?" At first, the question seems obvious. The man had been sick for thirty-eight years, lying beside this pool, hoping for healing. Of course, he would want to be healed! Yet, instead of immediately relieving his pain, Jesus invites a response, asking the man if he truly desires to get better. This question is deeply personal and intentional; it's an invitation for the man to actively engage and seek out Jesus. It serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes people can feel so deeply entrenched in their struggles that they lose hope. Nevertheless, Jesus still stands ready to offer healing and change.

It's entirely possible that after grappling with a struggle for so long, we can lose the determination for a change in our lives. Over time, discouragement and a sense of helplessness can creep in. Jesus challenges us to choose to accept him and trust that God will work in our lives, regardless of how long we've been struggling or how hopeless our situation may feel.