(January 17, 2010)

When we are just cruising around on a boat or in a car to take in the sights without a set agenda, that can be fun and exciting. However, if we just cruise through our entire lives without a set destination, we will end up lost people.

In Mark 10, a blind man couldn't see himself nor see others. He sought Jesus as he was transporting from one place to another. When he asked to be healed, Jesus healed him instantaneously. We have a tendency to see the faults in others, blind to our own faults. We don't understand our own spiritual poverty. But, when we are hungry enough or desperate enough, nothing can keep us from Him. God is passing by and we have a choice to take action.

We need to pray for God's mercy. It's God's compassion, grace, and His willingness to pardon us. The blind man asked for mercy. He didn't ask for money or for sympathy. He asked for the right thing and went to the Right One, thus he was given the right healing. The blind man could have thought about Jesus' schedule and decide to let Him pass by. But, he realized that there is no time like the present to get healed. Is there ever a time to delay the healing of Jesus?

Too many of us cry out to God for mercy, then are given a response that we want to negotiate. God will demand some level of faith from us. Many times, we want to be healed, but on our own terms. The blind man tossed away his begging garment--that which he collected coins--before being healed. He stepped out on faith, went to Jesus and emancipated himself by doing that. Jesus stood and waited for the formerly blind man to come to him. The blind man had to have faith...he had to believe in order to receive.

We need to understand how important it is to step out of faith first and believe before we receive.

- Jon Bruney