That's what is on the agenda for this evening. We are meeting up with a couple whom we have known probably at least 30 years - well, I worked with the wife many years ago. Him we haven't known but maybe 20 of those years. I know I've mentioned before of meeting friends for dinner - and it is usually this couple. But tonight is going to have an added dimension. A man I also worked with many, many years ago, who my friends have stayed in contact with all these years, is joining us. So instead of meeting at a 'dinner place', we are meeting up at Brother's pizza. I remember the last time we ate there; probably a couple years ago, with this same couple. And this 'young man' was to meet us there but at the last minute wasn't able to. It will be good to see him ... we were friends when we worked together, but didn't keep in touch after I left that company. I worked with his brother too. It would be fun if he came as well. Regardless, it will be a fun time of catching up tonight.
Mark 10:46-52 (NKJV): "Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you." And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road."
As I read the above scripture this morning, I was once again reminded of that big question that is being asked.
What do you want Me to do for you?
That could be a loaded question, do you think? When you read that question, what is the first thing you thought of? I took some time to write in my journal this morning that question and then I sat and pondered it. I'm not going to share what I wrote down, but I gave them a lot of thought, and although I know there are many more things I could have written down, I think I wrote only 5-6 thoughts that came to mind. I should be like Solomon when God asked him what He could give him, and Solomon asked for wisdom. Unfortunately, that wasn't one of the things I listed. Probably should be.
And I tried to keep it pretty much personal. It's so easy to ask for healings of people. To ask for the salvation of others. To ask for financial help. Those things are easy and I imagine we all ask God at some point to intervene and 'do something'. But I was determined to keep it about me because the question is.... What do you want Me to do for you?
It's not what do I want Jesus to do for my children, or other family members. Yes, I do ask Him many times to do specific things that I desire to see happen. But this time, I kept it about ME. Personal things. And perhaps one of them could be "Lord, I want to see." Not that I'm blind in that respect, but to see Him in all His glory. Alas, that wasn't one I thought of when I was writing.
I'm going to ask you that question, blind Bartimaeus.... if you were sitting by the road and you heard that Jesus was walking by, would you just sit there? Would you start calling out "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"? And when Jesus asked you to come to Him, and He asked you the question, "What do you want me to do for you?", how would you respond? What things would you write down on your list?
I'm going to challenge you this morning. Bring up Word on your computer to a blank sheet of paper. Or grab a tablet to write on so that you can keep it in front of you. Write at the top of the page "What do you want Me to do for you?"
Make bullet points. Start seriously thinking about it and write down what you would ask Jesus to do for you, as He asked you that question. He is asking you, did you know that? Jesus is ready and willing to do what you ask of Him, according to His will, but you first have to ask Him for it.
Is it for someone to be healed? Is it for you to be a better father or mother? Is it for financial help? Is it for relationships? Is it for ...... you can fill in the blank.
There are so many things we often 'ask' for in general to no one in particular. We may just comment, "I wish we could do that." or "I wish God would heal them." or even perhaps "I wish we didn't fight so much." "I wish I was a better spouse/parent/friend."
But did you ever stop and tell Jesus for what it is you are longing for? Why not do it right now. Well, after you make up your list....and give it some thought..... write down what you would say in response to "What do you want Me to do for you?"
Then as you sit there and read over your list, tell Jesus what you want Him to do for you. Then date the paper. Pin it to the wall and and every day tell Jesus what you want Him to do. Put it in a prayer. Just a simple one.
"Lord Jesus, in response to your question "What do you want me to do for you?", these are the things I am requesting. Here are my requests." And then sit back and see what He will do for you, according to His will.
You don't have because you don't ask. But it must also align with His will. What is His will? Pick up your Bible and read it. THEN you will know what His will is.
To know Him and make Him known.
Blessings!
