By Mellisha Carter-Linton
In this ever-changing, fast-paced world called “the information age”, it’s easy to get lost in the megabytes, likes, followers, connections, and friends of the online world. We are created to be social beings, yet in this era of modern transport and many modes of communication, most of our relationships are in cyberspace. People get into arguments with people they don’t know and get into real fits of rage based on the images or comments on their screens. Is this true living? Have we stopped building good, long-lasting relationships with people because of technology and the isolation we experienced from COVID-19? Are we being our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, as Jesus Christ requires?
FEELING ALONE
Even though the pandemic is, for the most part, over, there are still people suffering in silence, feeling neglected and alone, especially those who may have lost loved ones or those who are still experiencing lingering symptoms.
There are also hurting people who feel that they are not valued and not seen, but there is Someone who values us all and sees us all. Our Heavenly Father sees all our needs and all our hurts. He is especially close to people that society has tossed aside because they did not or do not fit into a mould created by men (human beings).
In the Bible, we encounter a few persons who were treated as outcasts. For example, there is the lady with the issue of blood and Zacchaeus, the tax collector. These were people that society pushed aside due to sickness or sin, who were deemed unworthy to be in the same company as the rest of the citizenry.
APPLYING VIRTUE TO YOUR ISSUE
The story of the woman with the issue of blood is captured in Luke 8:43–48. The lady was sick for a very long time, and we know that when people are sick for an extended period, sometimes their relatives and friends give up on them.
The issue of blood that the woman had would have probably made her feel like a leper. She was perhaps weak, depressed, and lonely after suffering for so many years. Jesus was her last hope, and she reached out in a crowd and touched the border/hem of His garment. She was hoping to just get her healing and flee, but when she realised she had been made whole and Jesus was asking who had touched Him, she stepped forward and gave her testimony of His healing power.
In a short period of time, the woman went from a nobody to a somebody, and the people were probably so excited to touch and hug her. She had been restored and now had the opportunity to lead a normal life again and build back her wealth, having spent all she had to find a cure for her ailment.
Most importantly, she was no longer an outcast due to sickness.
ZACCHAEUS, THE RICH TAX COLLECTOR
Jesus came to save all types of people: rich, poor, and in-between, and he proved this when he visited the house of Zacchaeus, whose story is captured in Luke 19:1–10. Zacchaeus’ desire for change and his curiosity caused him to climb a tree because he was short. What I understand from this Bible passage is that it doesn’t matter if we are hiding in a tree or in a hole in the ground; Jesus knows where to find us. He came to heal the sick, and being sick does not only apply to physical ailments like a broken leg or lying in a hospital bed after a stroke. Sickness can also mean that we are tired of living in sin and want a fresh start that only Jesus can give.
Friends, Jesus is a healer Who is able to fix all our ailments and forgive us of all our sins. He is knocking at the door, standing with an outstretched arm, waiting for us to let Him enter and touch all areas of our lives.
We all can be included in the Kingdom of God, where we will no longer be outcasts if we accept Him as our LORD and Saviour and repent of our sins.
Won’t you accept Jesus today?
Mellisha Carter-Linton is author of the book “From Bitterness to Betterness: Principles to Change Your Outlook on Life”. Mellisha is also an Assistant Internal Audit Manager, who enjoys working with young people especially motivating girls. She is trained by The Multicare Youth Foundation as a Mentor and as Christian Life Coach by the Christian Coaches Alliance.
Contact Mellisha at 876-214-6740, via email at [email protected] , on Instagram and Facebook at mellishacarterwrites and Mellisha Carter-Linton on Linkedin.
