I can remember riding in the car with my mom and dad when I was a child and hearing my younger brother saying “mama…. mama….. mama…. mama….. mama…..” After this went on for several minutes, my mom would turn around with “that look” on her face and say “WHAT DO YOU WANT?”  My brother would reply “Um….. um….. um….” and she would say with even more aggravation in her voice “Why did you call me if you didn’t have anything to say?”

I think, many times, we approach God in this same manner. We come to Him and say things like “Father, please bless my family.” or “Lord, please do your will in my life.” and we really don’t come boldly to our Father (Heb 4:16).

Luke 18:35-43 tells us the story of a special day in the life of a blind beggar named Bartimaeus.

35 He came to the outskirts of Jericho. A blind man was sitting beside the road asking for handouts.36 When he heard the rustle of the crowd, he asked what was going on.37 They told him, “Jesus the Nazarene is going by.”38 He yelled, “Jesus! Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!”39 Those ahead of Jesus told the man to shut up, but he only yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!”40 Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought over. When he had come near, Jesus asked,41 “What do you want from me?” He said, “Master, I want to see again.”42 Jesus said, “Go ahead—see again! Your faith has saved and healed you!”43 The healing was instant: He looked up, seeing—and then followed Jesus, glorifying God. Everyone in the street joined in, shouting praise to God.

Notice that Bartimaeus did not timidly ask for the Lord to “bless him” or “meet his need.” When Jesus asked him “What do you want from me?” he boldly said “Master, I want to see again!” I wonder if Jesus already knew he was blind. OF COURSE HE DID!!! So, why then did He ask? I believe there is a twofold reason. 1- God wants us to look at ourselves and judge ourselves (1 Cor 11:31) and then come to him for forgiveness and cleansing. He will not fix what we do not acknowledge. And 2- God will not release to us what we will not pursue. When Bartimaeus began to cry out, everyone told him to be quiet, but the scripture says the he “Cried out all the more.” Notice in this passage that there was a crowd gathered to see and hear Jesus that day, but there is no mention of anyone else receiving anything from Him. Could it be that it’s because he was the only one who cried out?

What are you asking God for today? Is it worth you loosing respect from the people around you? Is it worth you going against the grain of what everyone else thinks you should be doing? Is it worth you “Crying out all the more?”

I encourage you today to passionately pursue those things that you desire from your Father. Judge yourself and then allow Him to reveal His purpose in your life.

Comments welcome!!!

Be Blessed!!