God Is Stirring the Waters

This article invites you to stop waiting by the edge of breakthrough and start walking in faith. Drawing from the story of the man healed at the Pool of Bethesda, it reminds us that Jesus still heals, restores, and transforms—and that God is stirring the waters in your life today. If you’ve been stuck in disappointment, excuses, or fear, this is your call to rise and respond.

 

Watching, Waiting … and Hoping

If you want God’s healing touch or some other miracle today, there’s no need to wait for an angel.

At the Pool of Bethesda, Scripture tells us that: 

“A great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, [were] waiting for the moving of the water” (John 5:3 NKJV).

Many translations explain why so many stayed there: “An angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had” (v. 4).

What an image! Can you picture it? People scattered around the pool, year after year, watching, waiting—hoping to be the first to move when the waters began to ripple. They were desperate. Some had waited for months. Others, for years. That pool became a symbol of divine timing. One moment of stirring could change a person’s entire life.

Yet, while it might seem strange to wait for an angel to show up and stir the water, I believe many of us today are not so different. We may not be sitting beside a literal pool, but we’re still waiting. We’re hoping. We’re watching. And in our own way, we’re praying for something to stir.

Some are waiting on doctors, others on open doors, and many are simply hoping something—anything—will change. Maybe that’s where you are right now. If so, stay with me. There’s a powerful truth here that could change your life today.

The Miracle at the Pool

The scene at Bethesda zooms in on one particular man:

Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him,“Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:5–6 NKJV).

What a question! At first glance, it seems almost insensitive. Jesus knew this man had suffered for nearly four decades. He knew his pain. He saw his struggle. So why would He ask, “Do you want to be made well?”

But here’s what I believe Jesus was really asking: Are you ready to stop waiting and start believing? Are you willing to take the next step—whatever that may be—to walk into your miracle?

Because the truth is, sometimes we say we want a breakthrough, but deep down, we’ve gotten used to our brokenness. We’ve learned how to live in survival mode and make peace with disappointment. We’ve grown comfortable on the mat of our infirmity.

Maybe that sounds familiar. You’ve been in the same struggle for so long that it’s hard to imagine anything different. But Jesus isn’t just asking the man at the pool. He’s asking you: Do you want to be made well? Do you want to be free? Do you want to walk again – spiritually, emotionally, physically, or relationally?

Before you read another paragraph, I encourage you to pause and pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and prepare you to receive what God wants to do in your life. Ask Him to remove fear, doubt, pride, or any resistance. And then, get ready because something’s about to stir.

No More Excuses

The man responded to Jesus with what he thought was a reasonable explanation:

Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me (v. 7 NKJV).

In other words, It’s not my fault; I’ve tried. I’ve been here, and I’ve been waiting.

He had grown accustomed to his excuses—so much so that it became a barrier to his breakthrough.

Friend, I want to say this gently, but clearly: If you’re still holding on to excuses for why things haven’t changed, it’s time to let them go. God is not limited by your lack of help, your past failures, or even your long delay. He can move in your life today if you’re willing to respond to His voice.

You don’t need someone else to carry you into your destiny or wait for circumstances to be perfect. You don’t have to watch someone else receive their breakthrough while thinking you’ve been forgotten. Jesus is standing before you right now, offering you healing, freedom, and restoration.

Rise and Walk!

Jesus didn’t stop to argue or correct the man’s excuse. He simply gave him a command:

Rise, take up your bed and walk (v. 8 NKJV).

The man had a choice to make. Would he remain on the mat of his misery, or would he respond in faith to the impossible instruction of Jesus?

Amazingly, he chose to obey—and when he did, the miracle happened:

Immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked (v. 9 NKJV).

Let that sink in. A man who had been paralyzed for 38 years got up and walked! That’s the power of Jesus. That’s what happens when the living Word speaks into your situation. Your past is no match for His authority. Your limitations don’t intimidate Him. When Jesus says rise, everything changes.

Here’s the Good News

You don’t have to wait for an angel. You don’t have to linger by the pool hoping something supernatural might eventually happen. Jesus is already with you. The same voice that spoke to the man at Bethesda is speaking to you today.

Because of the finished work of the cross, Jesus has already conquered sin, sickness, and death. He’s made healing and breakthroughs available to all who believe. He has torn the veil and stirred the waters. And the invitation is … open.

This Is Your Moment

Don’t wait another day sitting at the edge of your promise. Don’t wait for someone else to go first. Never assume your situation is too far gone or too complicated for a turnaround. Nothing is too hard for the Lord … Step into your breakthrough!

God is stirring the waters—not just in some ancient pool in Jerusalem, but right where you are. He’s stirring…

• Hope in your heart
• Faith in your spirit
• Life into your dry bones

Will you step in?

It may mean taking a step of faith before you see results. It may involve forgiving someone, sowing a seed, applying for the job, sharing your testimony, or reaching out for help. Whatever the next step is, take it in faith. Move when the Spirit says move.

Don’t miss your breakthrough because of fear or hesitation. The man at Bethesda could’ve stayed on his mat and missed the moment—but he didn’t. He acted. He obeyed. And he walked.

Let Today Be the Day 

Friend, I believe God is speaking to you right now. He sees you. He knows how long you’ve waited. God hasn’t forgotten you. He’s not mad at you for the delay. In fact, I believe He’s smiling as He holds out His hand to lift you up.

Let today be the day you stop waiting and start walking.

Let this be the moment your faith overrides your every obstacle.

And let this be your breakthrough.

Because Jesus is still stirring the waters.

God bless you!

David Cerullo

…

At the Spiritual Growth Hub, you’ll find free Bible-based tools to help you walk in victory every day. Start your journey to lasting spiritual freedom today.