01 Feb 2013

February 2013 - Stage 1: The Will for Change

The Responsibility of Choice Motif

Biblical Motifs for the Three Repetitive Stages of a Pilgrim’s Progress
(This is the first of three articles in a series.)

Adapted from Lee Bee Teik’s book “The Heart of Pastoral Counselling” available at www.reconre.org

Biblical motifs are like landmarks which give us an indication of where we are when we are confused in life. They are to be used only as a means of grace, a simple tool to help us assess our lives when in spiritual-mental-emotional-social vertigo. They are like landmarks on geographical maps which help us to discover our physical location when lost or on the way to visit a place. This and the next two articles form part of another type of map. However, it is not meant to provide a rigid methodical programme whereby we may say "I've arrived" even if we have read the relevant Bible passages and followed the reflections. May the Holy Spirit be our Guide as we journey on earth, on the way to our heavenly Father God through His Son, Jesus.

However, why do we need such landmarks? As a friend of many fellow pilgrims, I have discovered that we need to recognise the progressive stages of our pilgrimage so that we will not stand in the way of our own and others’ freedom to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. We need to have a larger picture so that we may wait for the right time to intervene on the one hand, and not be too slow and miss the opportune time to help others or ourselves, on the other hand. In my own pilgrimage, I have learned much through others’ sermons, lectures and life experiences. Let me share these precious landmarks with you. Please lend me your eyes...

Stage 1 - The Will for Change
The “Responsibility of Choice” Motif

Read John 5-14

Q. Who was the man described in the passage above?
The man, at the pool with the five arches, had been an invalid for 38 years. Jesus asked him a seemingly hard hearted question,

"Do you want to get well?
(Who wouldn’t after suffering for so long??)

The man evaded His question. How?
He did it by:
• blaming others for not helping him... "They don't care for me. It's their fault-lah!"
(easy way out?)
• appealing to the of lack of time... "I can't get there on time by myself!"
(sounds familiar?)
• self-pity... "Poor me!"
(watch out…as this may spiral one into real depression)

But Jesus loved him enough and wasted no time in alerting him to his masks of excuses. He needed to make an effort to use his will power. Without explanation, the Rabbi commanded him to make a decision in order to change his current dilapidated condition.

"Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."
The man never dreamt that he could do it...but he obeyed and was healed!

Q. What was the diagnosis for him? Was it His weakness or his/others' sin that prevented him from being healed?
Diagnosis:
Jesus’ latter words to him gives us a clue. His had committed the sin of neglecting to take responsibility for his own life.

Q. What then are some implications of this motif?
** God holds us accountable for our abilities to do what we can do.

The man’s sin was that he did not even ask for help enough and settled into life as an invalid. 38 years was a long time for no one to attempt to answer his call if he had called like the importunate widow in Jesus’ parable(Luke 18:1-8). He might have got used to living on charity indeed.

** God holds us responsible for admitting that we are helpless in a situation where we cannot help ourselves, and for seeking help when necessary. We cannot afford to be too proud, too dignified or too lazy to do that.

For example, in Mark 9:14-27, the father of the suffering demon possesed child was encouraged to ask Jesus to help him believe Him when he realised how little he actually trusted Him.

"If you are able..." became "I believe, help my unbelief!"

Reflection:

1. What may the Lord be saying to me?

2. Am I currently at Stage I of my pilgrimage?

3. If so, be comforted that change is a constant factor for sinners such as us who are on the mend… till we see Him face to face!

4. What then shall I do about this of my stage of life with Christ?

Since we are into the annual Lent period of meditation and reflection, let us ponder, listen and watch our Saviour in Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42; Luke:39-46 and John 18:1-11.

5. Read Hebrews 12:1-13 and watch the Master again.

6. May a hymn writer speak to us once more….

O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer,
   
   This is my constant longing and prayer;
   Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures,
Jesus thy perfect likeness to wear.

Chorus:
O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee!
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art!
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

O to be like Thee! While I am pleading
Pour out thy spirit, fill with Thy love;
   Make me a temple meet for thy dwelling,
   Fit me for life and heaven above,

O to be like Thee! Full of compassion,
   Loving, forgiving, tender and kind;
   Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand'ring sinner to find.

7. Journal your findings and talk things over with Him by your side.
 

By Dr. Lee Bee Teik