This question popped into my head a few days ago as I was listening to a Kelly Minter podcast. She referenced the story in the Bible about the woman who was bleeding for twelve years and she touched Jesus’ cloak and was instantly healed. Matthew, Mark, and John all have the story in it, but John’s version is my favorite because of certain details. 

John 8:43-48

“Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; for I noticed the power had gone out of me.” When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” 

So much in only six verses! One day I will return to this passage and we can dig deeper into it.

About a month before I listened to this podcast, the senior pastor at my church preached a sermon on this and he included details, information, and a new perspective that I had never considered. Or maybe I was at the place in my journey with Christ that I was open to receiving a new perspective. 

The unnamed woman in this story was considered unclean because of her constant bleeding, so when she came forward and touched the fringe of Jesus’ clothing and he turned around and asked who touched him she likely felt fear and the sudden instinct to cower, hide herself, and make herself small to not draw attention to the fact that because she was unclean any person she touched would also be considered unclean. 

Can you relate to the woman in that story?

I can.

For years I lived in so much darkness and desperation and when I finally touched the edge of Jesus and He healed me I shrank back into the shadows so I wouldn’t bring attention to myself. 

For years after I was healed from my addictions I resisted His call to step out and say, “I reached out for Christ and He delivered me.” For years I stayed in the shadows because that is where I believed I should be. The outskirts is where I belonged. Why should I call attention to myself? It is unnecessary. 

But is it?

Have I been working so hard trying to go unnoticed that the evidence and depth of Jesus in my life goes unnoticed?

When I give in to each desperate urge to pull back and be quiet instead of boldly stepping out, am I denying what Christ has done for me? 

Instead of public humiliation, the women received public restoration. Instead of highlighting her uncleanliness, Jesus highlights her faith. She was called forward to be restored, not embarrassed. 

In my goal to leave no trace, I have been swirling in the same fears and thought the woman likely had. 

But isn’t that a disservice to the miracle of Jesus rescuing me? Isn’t that doing a disservice to His power and love? Isn’t that doing a disservice to others who need to hear the miracles God can perform? 

YES! 

Friends, no more shrinking back. No more hiding in fear. No more making yourselves small. No more attempts at leaving no trace. 

Live your healing loudly, boldly, and step out in the faith of Christ that fills you!