Touch of Faith

Mark 5:29-30 KJV
And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

There are pressures all around us. There's a big need to impress our ideas and personality on others, thinking that there's an advantage in making others small so you can be seen. The other end of this thought is to try and impress others too, somehow thinking that you would get what you want by doing what they want. It could also be that the opinions of people around you may be your guiding light and compass, so that whatever you do is guided by a careful consideration of what people around you think.  But then, is it worth it at the end of the day? Does it pay to deny who you are for the benefit of seeking the approval of people like you- struggling, in need of help and cleansing and mostly without an idea of their direction and purpose in life? Or is it better to ignore the pressure and strike out in the other direction, somehow trusting that faith in that direction will get you what you need?
The story quoted above reveals a lot about our human nature and our helplessness and need for total dependence on God. Here was a womaan who had had issues for more than 12 years. She had tried all she could, but there was no healing. Then she heard about Jesus. Her reaction is the focus- many of us go to church with the multitude, we hear the Word of God, it moves you emotionally, but that's where it all ends. There's no root, no fruit, no seed,no potential for growth.  We have become accustomed to the Daraprim culture- it is Sunday, let's go to church. We go and hear, but we don't actually listen to God. Our notions, experiences and beliefs are our values, and whatever doesn't agree with our value system isn't just good enough.
This was a woman. She wasn't supposed to be heard in public. She didn't care about culture or procedure; she wasn't interested in 'proper behaviour'. She needed help and she went for it. She had it planned: touch and be healed. No room for buts, errors or mistakes, just healing. And she got it because she acted in faith.
She wanted a quiet miracle, but got a quick public miracle announcement. The Great Physician had people milling around him, content with being part of the great multitude, yet within the press, Jesus felt one single touch of faith.
He knows your touch, if only you can reach out. If God could create over 7billion people, each with a unique fingerprint code, then he knows when it is YOU that has reached out in faith. Many were there, in need of healing too, but none got it like this woman.
The world may have forgotten you and consigned you to the dustbin of history. God, your creator, doesn't forget. All our lives are before him and if we could only act in faith, then we will see him at work in our lives.
Touch him in faith today and shame the crowd. Dare to receive by faith that which the world will struggle for eternity to get but will fail. Reach out in faith and be physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually healed. His time of favour is here.