2004-07-04 Abundant Goodness.doc - Page 2 of 2
Who is the one who actually doesn’t play his part because he panics at the idea that the
other king is trying to pick a fight with him by asking him to do something he can’t.
But it really doesn’t matter because Elisha, the man of God, hears how upset the king of
Israel is and tells him to send General Naaman directly to him. Again, a choice made by one
more person to play a part in God’s script.
And then there are some more servants who talk some sense into Naaman – who is ready
to walk away because he has his own ideas about how his healing should come about – and
Elisha’s instruction to go and bathe in that dirty water of the Jordan River sounds ridiculous (and
I might tend to agree). Again, these servants made a choice – it might have been less risky to say
nothing to their angry boss – but they took a chance – they played their part.
And, finally, it’s up to Naaman, who finally is healed when he makes the choice to go
through seemingly silly ritual of taking a bath.
Pretty ordinary – but, then, that’s the way God works, that’s the way salvation and
healing comes – not through dramatic performances of prophets and kings, but through many
simple, ordinary acts of obedience. Salvation comes mysteriously when we submit to God’s
script and not our own.
Our moderator says that “fear and fulfillment go hand in hand.” I imagine many of the
folks who played their part in Naaman’s healing felt some fear – but it didn’t stop them. Naaman
must have felt the fear that comes from doing something you don’t really understand and aren’t
at all sure will work – not to mention the fear of what his life would be like if he got well
because he accepted the God of Israel – but he did it.
And he was healed through this simple act of obedience.
We are called – and commissioned – to do some things we may not understand and may
be afraid to do. Simple things, like “stepping into the boat with Jesus” and accepting the power
and the gifts that he offers – God’s abundant goodness – all we need, really – and going out in
witness and service.
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