The Waters are Stirring (from 31 Days of Encouragement – Beth)

“THE SICK MAN ANSWERED HIM, ‘SIR, I HAVE NO MAN TO PUT ME INTO THE POOL WHEN THE WATER IS STIRRED UP…’” John 5:7a

It was the spring of 2007. I made my way to Lake Logan Retreat Center in the mountains of North Carolina. I felt in my spirit that the Lord had something special in store for the weekend conference. Many were praying for me and for all the women who would attend.

After the first session on Friday night, I went to bed with great anticipation of what the Lord was going to do the next day. I woke up early, my usual time with the Lord, and made my way out to the sitting area of my cabin, which overlooked a beautiful lake. I was sharing a cabin with the main speaker and several others on the leadership team.

Cynthia, the speaker and my good friend, was already seated, worshipping the Lord in her quiet time with Him. I silently made my way to the other side of the room. After a while she said to me, “Beth, look at the water out there. The waters are stirring!” As I looked, I saw the waters moving rapidly! Cynthia said excitedly, “God is going to show up today. Women are going to be healed!” She then reminded me of the passage found in John 5:7-9:

“When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, ‘Do you wish to get well?’ The sick man answered Him, ‘Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirring up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Arise, take up your pallet, and walk.’ And immediately the man became well, and took up his pallet and began to walk.”

Later that day, the leaders with whom I shared lodging, invited other women to come to our cabin if they would like for us to pray with them. We had no idea the impact this would have on all our lives. As we knelt to pray with those that came, I felt a tap on my shoulder. A young woman, with tears streaming down her face, motioned for me to come with her. As we walked outside, she told me her friend was in her car and needed someone to pray with her.

We made our way to the water’s edge. It was stirring! This precious woman sat on a bench close to the water, and her friend and I knelt down beside her and began praying out loud for God to move and bring healing to this woman’s life. As I lifted my hands to the Lord, the picture of the man wanting to be healed but not able to make it to the water came to my mind.

The wind began to pick up. It was like “a mighty rushing wind.” The presence of the Lord Jesus was very real at that moment and this woman was healed.

I have recently heard from Jennie. She continues to walk in newness of life. She has been healed because Jesus showed up that day with healing in His hands. She is healed because friends helped her get to where the waters were stirring.

Do you have a friend or friends who need Jesus? If you have experienced forgiveness, healing, and wholeness, are you doing your part to help others come to the water’s edge to experience the power of Jesus in their lives? God is always at work, my friend. He was obviously at work this particular weekend. Lives were changed, including my own.