Mary Alice McGinnis
Feb 173 min
by Mary Alice McGinnis
Over the past few years, I have had several occasions when I needed healing. In March of 2013, I broke my wrist. In September of 2020, I was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. In September of 2022, I developed plantar fasciitis. And this past year, on October 1, 2023, I had a biking accident, breaking three metacarpal bones in my right hand.
On each of those occasions, I know I was lifted up in prayer by many, and I could feel their prayers. I remember one beautiful sister who prayed over me, saying, “Lord, please heal Mary Alice supernaturally. Let it be evident to her that You are the One who has healed her.”
Did I receive immediate healing? No.
But God did heal me gradually. Sometimes the healing does not seem complete, even yet. I still have scars from my various surgeries. And my right hand is still stiff from my recent accident.
But God is healing me none the less - maybe in ways I don’t always see at first. God often uses physical circumstances to teach us. The truth is physical healing will always be temporary at best while we are living in these frail bodies. Maybe He is more concerned about our spiritual healing.
In today's story, when Jesus first spits and lays His hand on the blind man’s eyes, the man can only see shapes, men looking like trees. But then Jesus full restores the man’s sight. Did you know this is the only recorded miracle of Jesus that was gradual? I think it is a reminder that we cannot put God in a box, that He can heal us in countless ways and through myriads of methods.
Maybe you are walking through a season right now where it feels like God is not listening to your prayers for healing. In that season, perhaps He is asking you and I to open our eyes to see how He is using the gradual healing processes which we take for granted. Think about the miracle of broken skin or broken bones that heal. God is the One who designed our bodies in such a miraculous way. Doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and other health care professionals that He has placed in our lives. Who granted them the wisdom and skill to do such amazing things?
Today’s story of Jesus healing the blind man comes on the heels of two other miracles Jesus performed. Jesus fed the five thousand in Mark 6. And then He fed the four thousand in the beginning of Mark 8. The disciples were slow to see Jesus for who He was. Jesus even says that they were hard of heart.
I think it is curious that Jesus heals this blind man gradually on the heels of those two miracles. He was performing a slow healing in His disciples hard hearts and of their limited vision of Him, at the very moment this man's physical eyesight was being slowly restored.
I too have seen God do miraculous spiritual healing in me as He is gradually healing me physically. After my recent biking accident when I broke my right hand, I ran across this scripture.
Isaiah 41:9-10: “I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Coming across this Scripture at that moment was not a coincidence. I could hear Jesus speaking healing to me. You see, when I fell on my bike, I was seventeen miles from home, and it felt like the farthest ends of the earth. Yet, He provided a Good Samaritan who offered to take me home. God reminded me how often He has provided for me.
He reminded me HE IS my strength, and not to depend upon my strength. A lesson I constantly need reminding of. Perhaps that is why I need the reminders of my scars.
He reaffirmed to me He has a purpose and plan for me. God used this verse to produce some much-needed spiritual healing, healing that I know will last for eternity. He is my righteous right hand.
What about you? Where has God used something physical to reveal some place where you needed spiritual healing?
Lord Jesus, we pray for Your divine healing! Open our eyes to how Your are working to heal us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. You alone are the Divine healer. Thank You that we can be anchored to the hope and confidence of knowing that Your perfect healing will come to us and will last for eternity. In Jesus' Name! Amen!