The Problem Behind The Problem

In Acts 3:1-7, there is a remarkable story about a man who was healed from paralysis. Here is an account of what transpired:

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.

This story is remarkable for several reasons. It is remarkable because the miracle worker in this story is not Jesus, but two disciples of Jesus—which is a reminder of the fact that those who believe in Jesus have the ability to do what he did. It is remarkable because the two disciples who performed the miracle were different in style, temperament, and disposition—which is a reminder of the fact that those who believe in Jesus must learn how to work with a variety of people to achieve positive results. It is remarkable because the miracle occurred outside of the temple—which is reminder that the power of Jesus Christ should never be confined within the precincts of sacred spaces. Our message and methods must be honed to meet the messiness of the world. Finally, this story is remarkable because the miracle transpired because Peter and John ignored the request of the paralyzed man—which is a reminder that sometimes we miss what God has for us because we really don’t know what we need—and hence what to ask for.

The story informs us that the man was paralyzed. But even though he was paralyzed, he did not ask to healed of his paralysis. He only asked for some money. But if Peter and John had given him what he had asked for, he would have been a rich man who couldn’t walk.

His request demonstrates a dictum that I learned from Scott Galloway. Professor Galloway often says that it’s hard to read the label inside the bottle. What he means is that we frequently lack the proper perspective on our most acute problems. Perspective requires time, distance and reflection. And sometimes you can be so close to a problem that you no longer see it properly. The man had been unable to walk for so long, that he probably no longer saw himself walking. Being able to walk may have never entered his realm of possibility. So he asked for what he thought was possible, even though his request, if answered, still would not have moved the needle of his greatest need.

What are you asking for? What are you praying for? What are striving for? Is it what you really want? And if you get it, will it really solve your real problem? Do you know what the real problem is? Maybe your problem isn’t what you think it is.

Maybe you don’t have a strategy problem. You may have an alignment problem.

Maybe you don't have an execution problem. You may have a standards problem.

Maybe you don't have a people problem. You may have an influence problem.

Maybe you don't have an overload problem.You may have a self-discipline problem.

Maybe you don’t have a money problem. You may have a spending problem.

Maybe you don’t have a relationship problem. You may have a self esteem problem.

Why ask to be rich if you’re unable to walk?