What God Wants For Us

Fergus Buchanan October 28, 2021 0 1

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Mark 10: 50-52 (NIVUK)

50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

51 ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’

52 ‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

I have often heard the call to think ourselves into Scripture. To take up the persona of a character in a story and see where that takes us. If you are interested in that approach then the story of Bartimaeus is a gift. If you were faced with Jesus’ question: ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ — what would be your answer?

Bartimaeus had no hesitation. His was a miserable existence in many ways. Not only blind but dependent on the crumbs falling from tables, not to mention the prevailing belief that someone suffering in this way must have done something to deserve it. I had a friend who was gradually losing his sight. One day he was painfully sharing with me how his quality of life had seriously diminished. Activities that had been so important to him were now impossible. He said: ‘If only I could see!’ Words of one syllable but coming from a place where there was disappointment, frustration, helplessness. He was in no doubt what he wanted most of all in that moment.

If I am honest the kind of miraculous healing seen in Bartimaeus is not something I have experienced in my ministry. Sometimes I have been moved to pray for healing but knowing that whatever the outcome this time of sickness can be a time of grace for the sufferer and for those around her. God’s priority in our lives is to make us more like Jesus and that is not displaced by sickness or any other personal tragedy. Paul assures us that His good purpose for us is ‘in all things’. So the challenge is to unite ourselves to that purpose whatever we are going through. Of course, in our worst of times we want things to be better for ourselves and those around us. But then we consider God’s priority.

Joni Eareckson has been quadriplegic since the age of 16. She has lived through two cancer experiences and recently contracted Covid. She has a song entitled: ‘Make Me A Portrait Of Jesus.’ Through all her dark experiences she has embraced the priority that matters.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus,

We can always tell you what we want but we pray that You would so transform our inner being that what we want will always fall within Your will for our lives. Amen.