Lord, have mercy!

Lord, have mercy! What does that bring to mind these days? Probably a little shaking of the head, a little "what was I thinking?!" chuckle. It's probably not a true cry for God's mercy. But oh, what if it were!

I read today Mark 10:46-52, the familiar story of the blind beggar Bartimeaus, whom Jesus healed on the way between Jericho and Jerusalem.

You know the story. A blind beggar sits on the side of the road. He hears commotion. He's heard about Jesus and the miraculous healings Jesus has performed in the area. He wants some of that. He thinks, "What do I have to lose? I'll cry out. He probably won't hear. But I'll give it a shot anyway. And if Jesus doesn't hear me the first time, I'll yell a little louder."

And so he does. The beggar cries out,

"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted ouder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.

Wow! Jesus heard Bartimaeus cry out - in the middle of a crowd. How cool was that?!

Bartimaeus knew exactly what he needed - his eyesight! So when Jesus asked, "what do you want me to do for you?" there was no hesitation.

And Jesus's response: Your faith has made you well - and he was healed.

Did Bartimaeus run off in his own direction, doing his own thing? No, he "followed Jesus down the road."

So what can we learn from this story? It's way more than another story about a miracle Jesus performed. It's way more than prayer for healing answered. It applies to me. Personally.

I'm not blind - or so I think. But at times I AM blind; there are shadows in the corners of my attitude. I may not see the lost, the hurting, the lonely, the alone, the lady who feels unlovely.

I'm not a beggar - but I MUST be! I must cry out to Jesus daily for His mercy. For His vision. For His touch.

Brings new meaning to, "Lord, have mercy!" Today, Lord, have mercy on me. I want to see!

Pray daily for God's vision: that's a Healthy Habit!