So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

Mark 2:10-12

Jesus is who He says He is. He has been given all authority on earth and in heaven (Matthew 28:18), and over and over throughout Scripture, we see that authority. Jesus healed this man, but He didn’t pick him up. He gave a command, and He expected the man to do his part. Sometimes we just want to sit around on our mats and wait for miracles. We ask God to intervene in the circumstances of our lives, but we are often unwilling to do our part. We want the miracle without the work. 

Where do you need to “stand up” in obedience and do the right thing? Which habits or fears are keeping you paralyzed? Perhaps you just need to stand up and take that step of faith first. Where is Jesus expecting you to pick up your mat and do the work He has given you to do? Maybe you pray for the salvation of loved ones, but you haven’t personally told them about the God you serve. Perhaps you pray for a relationship to improve, but you haven’t shown them the love and grace Jesus has shown you. Maybe there is someone you see everyday who is lonely and just needs to be seen and known. 

God wants to grow you in your faith, but real growth requires real action. Show people the miracles Jesus can do through you when you obediently stand up, pick up your mat, and do the work He has given you to do. You are deeply loved!