Trait Two, Walk by Faith, is not about performance or being good, it’s about cultivating a “With God” life. It’s about reading scripture with a listening heart.
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is Jesus healing a blind man name Bartimaeus.
“And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.” Mark 10: 46-52 (ESV)
This story stands out to me each time I read it and has special meaning ever since an experience that happened one spring morning years ago. I was praying and thanking God as I walked along the narrow path in the side of a bank in our back yard. As I stopped at a bed of new spring flower, my prayer spiraled from gratefulness to fear. I felt the weight of all my struggles and the regrets of past decisions. I realized my fear for the future and how little control I had over it. Jesus’ words interrupted my thoughts with the same question he had asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?”
But the last time I read this familiar story, something new and different happened. Instead of recalling my own experience and the feeling of Jesus reaching out to me, I wondered who it was that reached out to Bartimaeus.
Who responded the moment they heard Jesus say, “Call him.”? Who had the compassion to say, “Take heart?” Did someone reach out their hand and assist Bartimaeus? Who helped clear the path and walked alongside Bartimaeus to Jesus? Did a disciple or two leave the crowd and walk over to help? Maybe someone following along in the crowd? Or possibly a person hanging out, standing near Bartimaeus, in the opportune place at just the right time?
What do you think you would have done if you were there at the time? Which person in stands out to you? What would it have been like to have had a part in this story? Can you imagine where you would have been standing when those words were spoken? Do you think you’d be walking alongside Jesus as one of the disciples? Would you be a member of the crowd competing to get closer to Jesus or hanging back a fair distance away, close, but not too close? Do you see yourself as the bystander cautiously evaluating the situation as it unfolds?
Or do you see yourself as a Bartimaeus, someone desperate for help? Someone hurting and overlooked? Someone powerless over their circumstances and in need of a miracle?
As I read through the story and imagined what it would be like to be there, my heart ached. I could see myself as a Bartimaeus, not physically blind, but so confused, hurting, and desperately in need of help from Jesus. However, this time was different. As I read through the story and imagined what it would be like to be there, my heart ached. Oh, to be attentive! To have a listening heart. To hear Jesus’ words and naturally step in. Not just to act or serve, but to reach out in love; to see someone like Bartimaeus with the heart and compassion of Christ.
What Bible verse or story is especially meaningful to you? Next time, prior to reading your favorite scripture, ask God what he wants you to see. Take an extra minute or two to linger and listen. Be ready to hear if he shows you something new in the story.
