Below is part of this morning’s Lectio 365 devotional. After reading it, I thought I ought to share it.

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spat on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”

Mark 8:22-26

I’m used to stories of Jesus healing people with a word and doing so in an instant… but that’s not what happens here. Jesus takes his time over this miracle; it’s a messy, tactile, encounter, where the healing happens in stages.

If I’m honest, which parts of my life look messy right now? Which parts am I longing to see Jesus transform?

I can get impatient with God. I want miracles and I want them now! This encounter reminds me that God is not in a rush. The intimacy this man shares with Jesus – the hand-in-hand journey, the level of touch and connection – would not have happened in a quicker, less-messy experience.

Lord, I lay down my desire for quick and easy transformation. Instead of demanding instant results, teach me to move at Your pace and enjoy Your friendship as we journey through life together.