What Do You Want Me To Do For You?

The God of the universe wants to build a life with you. Can you pause and think on that for a moment.

The God who created the heavens and the earth and who spoke all of creation into being, wants to build a life of fellowship with YOU.

I heard a most glorious teaching on desires, and in the teaching the gentleman used the story of Bartimaeus. (Mark 4:46-52) Bartimaeus was a blind beggar, a son of Timaeus. He begs to survive.

And as Jesus and disciples are arriving in Jericho, Bartimaeus is crying out from the side of the road. He’s crying for mercy.

Some are annoyed with Bartimaeus’ loud pleading, but not Jesus. Jesus pauses and invites Bartimaeus to come near. “Call him here,” Jesus says. But they don’t just call him, they tell him to “take courage, stand up!” for Jesus has invited you to come.

Bartimaeus throws aside his cloak, jumps up and comes to Jesus. Jesus, the God of love, takes a loving interest in this blind man and asks him What do you want me to do for you?

This becomes an invitation for Bartimaeus to pause and consider his deepest desire. It’s in invitation to turn inward and ask what kind of life do I really want? One teacher says that Jesus “invites us to bring our desires to God in the intimacy of conversation.” Jesus and Bartimaeus are in a life transforming conversation.

What do you want me to do for you, Bartimaeus? Bartimaeus expresses that he wants to regain his sight. Jesus grants his desire and Bartimaeus is not only healed, he continues to follow Jesus.

Friend, may you have the courage to stand up today. May you hear the invitation of Jesus to come near. May you pause and turn inward, and together with Holy Spirit, search for your deepest desires. Not the shallow ones, the deep ones. And then may you share your deepest desires with God in the intimacy of conversation and fellowship.

God has a loving interest in you.

Carmen