The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”
But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”
So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”
The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. John 5:9-13

It was obviously no coincidence that this healing occurred on the Sabbath. And He knew the response it would bring because he knew people and especially the Jewish leaders. He also knew when he needed to get out of town. He knew when to stay and “face the music” with the leaders and when to go. Granted, he didn’t go far because in following verses he approached the man at the well to ask him question, but still He knew when to go.

Because we are to emulate Jesus in every way possible, our task is to be so in focus with the will of the Holy Spirit that He will tell us each step of the way what we need to be doing, especially as it relates to ministry. Now, I realize that this is a daunting and overwhelming task because we are definitely not Jesus Christ. However, a moment by moment, minute by minute walk with the Holy Spirit is certainly a worthwhile goal to shoot for.

Is it “pie in the sky” thinking?

Maybe.

Or maybe not.