Finding Purpose in ObscurityExemplo

Naaman – Finding Obedience in Obscurity

Nowadays we're quick to jump to conclusions.

Practices, rhythms, expressions, and environments that fall outside the bounds of what we know make us uncomfortable at best and cynical at worst.

I didn’t grow up in a charismatic household. Prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues were not practiced in the church of my youth. So, when I encountered these spiritual gifts in others during my collegiate years, I was extremely skeptical to say the least. It wasn’t until I let down my guard, witnessed the power of these gifts up close, and humbly submitted myself as a recipient of these gifts from others that I was truly transformed.

Naaman is a man who has it all. He’s the commander of the army of the king of Aram. “Highly regarded,” says the Scriptures. His life must’ve been fairly under control. With power, status, and military might behind him, he had the autonomy to create the life that he desired.

Except . . .

Except for a debilitating condition called leprosy that was threatening his life.

Faced with no better alternative, Naaman goes and finds a man of God named Elisha, who instructs him to wash himself seven times in the Jordan.

Naaman finds Elijah’s instructions to be outlandish and initially rejects them. His resistance mirrors our resistance to the Holy Spirit’s often seemingly outlandish invitations.

Perhaps today, you find yourself in a season of waiting. You’re waiting for that spouse to come, for that check to cash, or for that cancer diagnosis to disappear. And perhaps you’ve done everything within your control to move the needle in your favor.

But what if God has positioned you in obscurity to stretch and grow your faith? In other words, could the very trial before you be an invitation to try something new?

Many people aren’t familiar with Naaman’s story (that’s a theme you’ll find over the course of these five days). And once they encounter it, it’s his physical healing that grabs their attention. But what most people miss is the journey of obedience that Naaman endures.

Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy (2 Kings 5:10-11, NIV).

It took some attendants of Naaman’s to convince him to give Elisha—and God—a chance.

“My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” (2 Kings 5:13, NIV).

As Naaman washed, he was healed. But the healing was merely a byproduct of the humility that Naaman cultivated.

Life as you know it may be perfectly curated under your control. You live life on your terms. But what if God is calling you into deeper obedience? To move outside the bounds of your comfort zone and to submit your will to his?

What if the healing you’ve been longing for is on the other side of a humbling yes?

What if the breakthrough you need won’t come until God breaks you of your pride?

Are you willing to obey? Physical healing may or may not come. But healing will take place. It will be a healing of the soul—a cleansing of the heart. And the deeper well you’ve dug with God will be well worth the pain of pushing past the bounds of comfortability and control.