You Have To Find A Way…

There may be something that you want to do, you want to be or you want to accomplish, but mountains stand in your way. You may be thinking, there is no other way around these mountains. But, if what you want is really yours to have, you have to find a way. Finding a way to overcome obstacles in life takes courage, wisdom and perseverance among other things. Finding a way to take care of life’s responsibilities is our charge and our challenge. However,  the charge to find a way to meet Jesus supersedes all.

When we get to Jesus, we will achieve every other thing that’s designed for us. We tend to seek after the mundane things first, but great fortunes would be ours if we go out of our way to find a way to get to Jesus.

When Jesus was on earth, He was flooded by people who sought physical and spiritual healing. Most of them only wanted the physical healing, but they received both when they found a way when there was no way. Jesus is readily accessible to us today, despite the circumstances of our lives, all we have to do is find a way to meet Him.

Zacchaeus Found a Way: He was rich, but he still needed Jesus. As much as curiosity got the best of him and sent him up into the sycamore tree, something else had to have hauled him up the limbs of that huge tree. Luke 19 tells us that Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was.  He had a desire to get closer to Jesus, so much that he ran ahead of the crowd, climbed up the tree and waited. He wanted a personal encounter and no obstacle, not even his lack of height was going to hinder that. He wanted to see Jesus for himself, hear him for himself, and if possible talk with him. Jesus knew Zacchaeus’ heart, because He stopped at the foot of the tree and called out to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today” (vs. 5).  When we find a way to meet Jesus, He finds a way to meet us, even to personally dine with us and teach us the plans He has for our lives.

Blind Bartimaeus Found a Way: He had dreams of living life at its fullest just like the others. He couldn’t see, but his hearing was impeccable.  As much as they told him to be quiet, he used every muscle to shout, “Jesus, Thou Son of David, have pity on me.” He heard that Jesus of Nazareth was in town. Bartimaeus decided not to let this opportunity pass him. This may be his best opportunity, or could well be his only chance, and so He decided to cry out to Jesus with everything that He got inside of him. And what did Jesus do?  Jesus stood still, called him over and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”  Bartimaeus found Jesus, got his sight, and I’m sure life turned around for him. Once he heard that Jesus called for him, he threw away his rugged cloak because he knew that a new and prosperous life in Christ awaited him. When we find a way to get Jesus’ attention, He stands still, listens to us and gratifies our personal requests, according to His will.

The Woman Found a Way: She was bleeding for 12 years; she spent all her money on doctors and they couldn’t help. She heard about Jesus, but He was encircled by a thick crowd. She had to find a way. Twelve years of failure was enough, and if Jesus could help, she had to get to him. So what did she do? “She came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, ‘If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.’  Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition” (Mark 5: 27).  All she needed was a touch.  One personal and positive encounter with Jesus will change lives. If you have been doing things your own way for years, trying to make it in life on your terms, try Jesus for once. When we find a way to get to Jesus even through the crowded demands of our daily routines; He will make sure that when we taste; we will see that the Lord is good.

The Men Found a Way:  They had come too far to turn back. As much as it was a multitudinous group of people, they wanted healing for their friend, the paralytic. They definitely couldn’t get through the crowd; they had to find a way to get to Jesus. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus” (Luke 5; 19). These men wanted healing for their fellow man. They could have given up, but they dismantled the roof, just to make sure that the paralytic met Jesus. Parents, we have to find a way to bring our children to Jesus. We have to find a way to pull others to Jesus. When we find a way to get to Jesus on behalf of others, Jesus will reward our efforts.

Finding a way requires

Knowledge and Faith: All of these people heard about Jesus. They knew that He had the power to save them and grant them their heart’s desire. They knew, but they also had to wholeheartedly belief that Jesus could help. None went to Jesus without expecting to receive. They went because they knew and believed that He would deliver.

A different way of thinking. All of these people did something different to get to Jesus, and Jesus rewarded everyone. You won’t get to Jesus doing what everybody does.  Once a week church service is not enough, your three minute morning prayers won’t do it, playing gospel music won’t do it either. You may have to change your lifestyle, get rid of some people, get rid of somethings, but you have to do something differently.  Get deeper into the word, or staying on your knees and calling out to Him like Bartimaeus, is a good start; you just have to find a way.

Desire: All of these people needed something that was really important to them. They wanted to live a better, happier and healthier life. They wanted it badly and they made sure to go out of their way to get it. We may have to inconvenience ourselves and others to get to the heart of Jesus, but He will never make us ashamed, turn us away or disappoint us if we go all out to find him.

Determination: If Zacchaeus was not determined he would have said, “Forget it, I’m too short.” Bartimaeus would have said, “I can’t see him anyway, it’s no use.” The woman would have said, “I’m too weak to get through this crowd.” Notice that each of these people, did something to counteract their deficiency. Zacchaeus went higher. Bartimaeus shouted. The woman pressed harder. The men went above the crowd. Obstacles were in their way, but meeting Jesus was well worth overcoming the obstacles.

Jesus held the keys to open the door and grant them a new, better and prosperous life in Him. No matter what you want to accomplish in life, Jesus still holds the key to the door of those accomplishments; He has everything you need. Going out of your way to find Jesus is a one-time life opportunity. It can only happen in this life, don’t let it pass you by. If you want to make your life count, you have to find a way to get to Jesus, because, [He] is the way, the truth and the life” (John 14: 6).  You have to find a way to Jesus and change the course of your life forever.