While I realize this expression “Don’t start nothing wont be nothing” is not a good use of the English language I will ask you to ignore it for this article. Instead let us explore what meaning this term might hold for us today.
Generally this expression is used to persuade a would be trouble maker to re-think his or her decision to wreak havoc. In actuality it is a threat. However, God had me re-interpret its meaning which caused me to re-examine myself during a season where nothing in my life seemed to be working.
It was a season I regarded the voice of man more than I regarded the voice of God. It was a season wherein I required a second opinion because I was constantly second guessing myself. Completely preoccupied with looking back I could not move ahead in my purpose. Quite frankly, I had become a spiritual paralytic.
Similar to the man in our scripture lesson today; this man who lay for thirty-eight years at the pool of Bethesda; I found myself in an environment where people did not want to help me. Have you ever been in a place where no one wanted to help you?
Like this man I was closer to my breakthrough than I realized. However, the belief that I needed someone to help me obtain my miracle paralyzed and kept me from getting what was within my own grasp.
Sometimes all it takes is a Word from God to change our perspective. Jesus walks over to the man and asked him a simple question. Do you want to be free? The man still believing people were the cause of him not being able to get up began to complain. But Jesus knowing this was not the case quickly interrupted him says “take up your bed and walk”.
Though Jesus must have spoken these words with much authority it was not a threat rather it was a revelation that he possessed the power within to get up. In other words, while he laid there faulting others for not helping him he had the power to change his situation at anytime.
I was in a place much like this man when (strangely enough) this expression came to mind. Don’t start nothing wont be nothing. After hearing this expression so many times, I suddenly realized I had misinterpreted its meaning.
It was not a threat at all; rather it was a wakeup call. It was a call to action. More importantly it was a charge to help myself when no one else would or could.
It was as if God was saying if you don’t start writing that book, get that business started and working on all the things I have placed in your heart to do it will never happen.
This man’s story I think expresses this saying for truly if he had continued to wait on others to help him he would have never got up. In fact, he would have remained there until his death.
I'll admit there are times when God will allow people to help us. However, there are times when God expects you to help yourself. My friend it is your responsibility to do something with your dreams, your talents and your life.
You need to understand if you don't start nothing it won't be nothing!
Just Do it,
Rev. Melva
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