do you want to get well?

Dad and I were talking about balance.
As a consciencious Christian, he wants to give time and energy to people who desperately need help, love and encouragement, but doesn't want to become so drained by this that he becomes ineffective in daily life.
I related with his sentiment: we don't want to be so burned out that we have nothing left to give to our family and close friends.

Dad said he could relate to the words of Jesus, who in John 5:6 asks the man he is about to heal,
"Do you want to get well?"

If I was the paralyzed man lying on the ground I would have gotten a bit irate at that moment!

Do I want to get well! Who do you think you are, Mr. Miracle-man?!

But Jesus' question is valid. It is so easy to use our disabilities as excuses. Especially when people expect nothing from us because of our inefficiencies.
It's true Mr. Paralytic couldn't play soccer, but he also didn't have to work, pay taxes, or do community service because of his deficiency.

What Jesus was saying was, If I heal you, and you know it was by God's power and not by anything that you could have done for yourself, then you will have no choice but to follow me!

So take your time, think about it. Do you want to get well?

I am reminded of that great cultural mouthpiece, the film Spiderman.
"With great power comes great responsibility."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKmQW7JTb6s

Sometimes small acts of kindness are their own reward. But if a situation requires a large emotional investment, it might be best to help them decide whether they truly want the responsibility that comes with being well.

Sometimes, people are not yet ready to grow. And it's up to us to allow them to get to the point when we can help.