And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
And Jesus said, Who touched me?
When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
~Luke 8:43-48
I love this short story of a woman with faith! Let us not discuss a woman with an issue, rather a woman of faith!
In this particular passage the word faith actually translated in origin is to simply "believe." In other Words Jesus was saying to the woman, "what you have believed has come to pass ... go and enjoy life."
What are you believing today concerning your life and your conditions? As a man thinks so is he ... what one believes in their heart (innermost being) so it is with them.
I saw a car going down the road today and it had a logo that reported to the World the drivers thoughts and beliefs. They lived in a poor man's world by believing that was their lot in life. And all the outside effects were manifesting accordingly.
And yet on the opposite side of me was one of the finer automobiles, clean inside and out, driver dressed to reflect their innermost thoughts of wealth with a smile to match. Life is out there, if we are willing to press through the throngs of all that separates us from it.
This woman was not looking for someone else to get her expected end ... she went straight to life for it! She was gonna touch life or else! She wasn't about to let anyone or anything keep her from her goal!
For 12 long years she was bleeding out ... her life and livelihood being drained from her ... she merely was in the state of existence when she had an Epiphany "I can touch life (Jesus) and life will return to me!"
Therefore, with a mission she came out to where life was ... no more setting alone, no more standing in the dark shadows of others. She was ready to live! She was ready to go after life with the last bit of her that was left! And with this mindset ... she reached her goal ... she touched life ... she received life ... and with it came commendation and peace!
*Notice she was not going out to be commended or seen or praised ... she was after life and life commended her and offered her peace. It even included her in an everlasting story to be shared all over the world time and again ... from one generation to another.
Amazing how Life knows when one person reaches out and grabs it, refusing to be denied. Many were among and around life in this woman's day; some even so very the breath of life was upon their necks ... but they recognized it not. They were simply stirring in the dust of survival ... and life spoke not a word to them; offered them nothing. But one act of faith and life responded.
~Life offers a virtue that changes everything for the one willing to go after it!
