If You Can

I was reading today in Mark chapter 9 about the crowd that had gathered around the demon possessed boy and how the disciples could not cast out the demon that was in him and then onto the scene walks Jesus and everything changes.

After being asked to cast out the demon Jesus says to them, “You faithless people!  How long must I be with you?  How long must I put up with you?  Bring the boy to me.”

The boy comes over and just the fact that he was in the presence of Jesus the boy begins to foam at the mouth, shakes and falls to the ground.  The dad tells Jesus that this demon keeps throwing his son in the fire and water trying to kill him.  The father looks at Jesus and says “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

I read that and thought that is me.  When I go through a trial I condescendingly look at Jesus and say, help me if you can.  Ever do that? What kind of faith is that?  Jesus looks at the dad and says “What do you mean, if I can?” [I'm freaking Jesus, okay so I added that last part for dramatic emphasis, not that it was needed.]  “If I can?” I’m Jesus the creator of the universe who cares about you as an individual, of course I can.

The father says something interesting again, like he hasn’t already showed his cards of disbelief, he admits to Jesus right there on the spot, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” THAT’S US!  Everyday we need to say to God, I do believe but help me overcome my unbelief.

• My unbelief that you love me.
• My unbelief that you forgive me.
• My unbelief that you want all of me.
• My unbelief that my mess can become your mission.
• My unbelief that I am worthy of your grace.
• My unbelief that my junk is important to you.
• My unbelief that you can do the impossible.
• My unbelief that you are who you say you are.

How much longer will we sit with unbelief in our hearts and yet publicly state God can do anything?  Our faith is a gift from God, Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that.  Faith is a constant process of daily turning to Jesus and handing Him our unbelief.  He-wants-our-everything, even our unbelief.  What are you handing him today?