According to 2 Kings 5, Naaman was the commander of Aram’s army. He was a mighty man of valour and was held in favor because of the victory that God brought him. However, Naaman suffered from leprosy. Naaman’s wife had a servant girl from Israel who claimed that a prophet there could heal him. Naaman informs his lord of this, and he is sent to Israel with a letter to the king. He is directed to the prophet Elisha, who instructs him to bathe in the Jordan River seven times and he will be cleansed. Though initially angry, Naaman followed the instruction and was healed.
It’s interesting how we start out with nothing but a mission, yet, like Naaman, we believe we know what we want or how things should go. Naaman was offended because the prophet did not approach their encounter in the way he preferred. Be firm and unwavering in your vision, but be adaptable and open to new ideas and perspectives as you work towards it. Do not seek prophets, mentors, or advisers if you have already decided how you want things to go. Being faithful to your mission will always require you to engage in activities that you are uncomfortable with.
The story of Naaman teaches us several lessons. It highlights the importance of humility and obedience. You sought out the prophet because you needed help with your mission. If you knew what to do, you would have done it already! Naaman had to set aside his pride and follow the seemingly simple instructions given by Elisha. Often, achieving our goals requires us to take actions that may seem small or insignificant. Do not be the mission-driven person that fails because they weren’t willing to take action. Today, ask yourself: How far will you go to get the results you want? Will you take action and trust in God’s plan?
