Acts 9:32-43 (NLT)

It’s easy to forget that there’s more to these stories than the healings. They’re important, to be sure, and they are remarkable, there’s no denying that. It is dangerous, however, to fix our eyes on just the healings, because to do so sets us up for discouragement when healings do not happen. I’ve personally been discouraged at unanswered prayers and I know many who also have been devastated because God did not answer prayers uttered in faith. We marvel at Peter’s confidence, and we long for the kind of faith he had. Yet when we fall short, or we think God has fallen short, it’s difficult to shake off the despair.

That’s why the details are so important. What happens before and after the healings? Well, to start, we have a peculiar statement in verse 34. Peter tells the man he’s just healed of paralysis, who’d been unable to move or do anything for himself these eight long years, to “make his bed” (NRSV). It’s a strange thing to say. Why not tell him to jump or run or wave his hands or go tell his family? Why something so mundane? Come on, make your bed? Couldn’t you think of anything better, Peter?

In this seemingly errant statement, we have a crucial reminder. God brings healing into our lives so that we can live every day faithfully. A once paralytic man who’s able to walk must not think too much about walking. Most people don’t. He must not think too much about his many days wasted not walking. It’s too easy to be paralyzed all over again by past memories, regrets of bygones. Nor should he become puffed up with pride at his experience, his testimony. Most days begin for most people with something as simple as making their beds. It’s not the most profound thing. But then again, we’re not called to be profound. We’re called to be obedient.

So Peter gets Aeneas started on the journey to normalcy right away, by telling him basically: Make your bed, brush your hair, and live the life you’ve been given today. Eugene Peterson talks about a moral disease called “Afghanistanitus”—the false belief common among many people that they must go some place far to do something great or significant with their lives. Contrary to such an unrealistic and unhealthy hankering for the fantastic, our lives of significance begin anew each day, and often with something as simple and downright plain as making our beds.

Reflection:
God delivers us so that we can live life fully each day. For Aeneas, it was learning to make his bed again. For Dorcas, it was probably getting right back into the business of making clothes for the poor (v. 36). What is it for you today? What has God saved you for today? And, before you get too ahead of yourself and God, may I ask, not meaning to nag, did you make your bed today?

*This devotional first appeared in Encounter Monthly Journal, July 2006