Girl Gotta Try
Eighth grade. To say I was awkward would be an understatement. I was super skinny. I had the longest, boniest limbs and was told I had go-go gadget arms. Yet, with a determined spirit, I tried out for the cheerleading team. I had never taken gymnastics and could barely do a cartwheel, but girl gotta try, right? You know what? I made it…as an alternate (insert laugh emoji here)! About a week later, another girl was unable to stay on the team, so it became my time to shine. I got a lot of attention, mainly from the coach. I was constantly being called out with phrases like, “Jodie, stiffen up, or run!” Even though I was trying, I felt like I couldn’t get any stiffer. My only guess is that I was so boney that I looked floppy. Despite it all, at the end of the season I was awarded, Most Improved. There’s no doubt I had been noticed, or at least, tolerated despite my bean-pole issues (again, insert laugh emoji).
Sometimes our issues make us want to hide in the crowd, but Jesus calls us out and calls us daughter. There’s a woman in the Bible, who I think also said, “Girl gotta try.” We don’t know her name, but we know she had an issue of bleeding for twelve years. It doesn’t say in the Bible if she had been ridiculed, but her issue urged her to step out and at least try touching the hem of Jesus’ garment. As Jesus walked through a very crowded street, there was likely many people bumping into Him. Although there were likely many touches taking place, He specifically noticed that someone had reached out and touched His garment. Although the woman was tucked into the crowd, He knew she was there and wanted to give the woman her time to shine. Not in a, “I’ll take her as an alternate until someone better comes around.” No, Jesus knew that a miracle was in the making. Luke 8:47 says, “Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.”
We often allow our issues to isolate us or hold us back. Whether it be something physical, or a lesson you just can’t seem to learn, or an attitude you can’t get over…the issue list could go on-and-on. Yet, Jesus knows everything about us, and still, we don’t go unnoticed by Him. Even in a crowded situation when it’s easy to hide our insecurities. No matter if you are weak, or lonely, or broken…Jesus feels your heart, calling, and potential through the touch. When we reach out to Him in faith, He reaches back and says, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace” (John 8:48).
A testimony awaits those who step out and try. Girl, you gotta try. A crowd needs to see what God can do through your reach.
Go in peace. There’s no reason to hide anymore.