The Deaf Speak

Living in the South, I have become accustomed to hearing “testimonies” from complete strangers. This practice includes the habit of sharing what earthly blessing God has given. It may be healing, a new job, or sometimes even a reconciled relationship, but it ALWAYS includes a feeling of worthiness that God has chosen to pour out His blessings. In actuality, this custom is nothing new.

In today’s Gospel lesson we hear of another healing by God followed by a testimony...

At that time, Jesus returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of Dekapolis. And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well: he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak." (Mark 7:31-37)

Faced with the complete awe of being healed by God, this man could never conceal his praise for God, even though God had commanded him to remain silent. It begs the question. If God has done something wonderful in your life, why don’t you share a testimony with others? So many of us go through life totally silent to the blessings that God has given to us, I often wonder if anyone even feels His blessings at all.

If you have been wondering what blessings God HAS done for you, take a moment today and contemplate how you have been healed or experienced some sort of blessing from God. Then follow that up with sharing your thanks to God by calling a friend and sharing what God has done for you. Sometimes we just need to be reminded how God does indeed work in our lives. Maybe your call will inspire someone to reflect upon how God has blessed them.

Then invite them to Church to share along with you in thanking God for His blessings. The crowd responded to the man who had been healed by proclaiming, “He has done all things well,” and many more believed in God. Testimonies can be contagious when the deaf speak.