Luke 17:14 | “When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.”

Ponder that for a while. “As they went, they were healed.”

How long it takes a litre of water to boil will be dependent on a number of factors – the Initial temperature; the atmospheric pressure; and the kind of heat used.

Also, how long it takes to make a journey will be dependent on the mode of transport used.

We saw yesterday that no one can successfully run the race of life without the grace of God. Now, the other side of this message is that we have a role to play in our own metamorphosis.

So, how long it takes to move from race to grace; from a life of stress and misery, to a life of ease and bliss, will be dependent on your rate of response to the Holy Spirit: Your simple faith in His word, and a corresponding obedience to Him.

The ten lepers in the story received their miracle the moment they chose to respond to the instruction of Jesus. “As they went, they were healed.” Another version actually puts it more clearly: “They went, and while still on their way, became clean.”

Same thing goes with the story of the invalid man healed at the pool of Bethsaida. The instruction of Jesus preceded his healing. I guess it would have seemed senseless, and insensitive to ask someone who was obviously lame to stand up and walk, right? Notice that Jesus did not say, “you have been cured, now get up, pick up your mat and walk.” Rather, his miracle came as he chose to obey Jesus, in spite of his condition.

John 5:8-10 | “Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.”

Oh, for the grace to obey even when it seems senseless and difficult!

The Holy Spirit sees our hearts and knows where we all are, in our walk with Him. He values and honours our sheer willingness and eagerness to obey Him. He’s set to transform our realities, and cause us to move from race to grace, as we promptly respond to, and surrender to His will.

Prayer | Holy Spirit, help me to yield completely to You, in spite of myself. Give me a heart that seeks You; a heart that seeks to do Your will; and a heart that seeks to please You! Amen!