A Reckless Man!

Every time I read the story of blind Bartimaeus, I think to myself, Now there’s a man of exorbitant faith. I don’t know if I’ve ever known somebody who has such a reckless faith in Jesus.

Read Mark 10:46-52 if you want to meet this unusual man. I promise you – it’ll be worth the time it takes you to read those seven verses.

Let me set the scene. It was common in those days for the disabled and the beggars to sit or lay along the roads in and out of the cities, right outside the city gates. That way, the poor could panhandle all the travelers and merchants as they passed by on the only routes to and from the towns. 

Many of the poor and destitute literally survived by permanently camping out right along these paths, relying on the handouts of the few generous people who passed by them.

Bartimaeus was one of these unfortunate people along the roadside. 

And so, it came about that the blind Bartimaeus heard and sensed that Jesus and his men were coming past him as they left Jericho. He knew what he should do.

Although I’ve read this passage many times, each time I see something new in the story, and this reading was no exception.

I couldn’t stop thinking about these four words in verse 50: “Throwing his cloak aside …” The ramifications of those four words astounded me, for they indicate so much more about the faith of Bartimaeus when I really think about them.

As a destitute blind beggar, the clothing on his body and the cloak on his back were probably his only possessions. 

His cloak was his “seat” during the morning and evening.

He relied on it as protection from the sun during the heat of the day.

At night, his cloak kept him warm. It was a barrier from insects and small predators.

Wrapped around him, his cloak was his shelter, his bed. It was his only security. 

Rolling up snuggly within it, he might experience his only source of comfort.

It was always with him. He knew its feel, its smell, and its great value to him in his station in life.

It was likely everything he owned.

So, when he “[threw] his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus,” he risked the loss of literally everything he owned. He stepped toward Jesus in faith, leaving everything behind. Everything he had.

If Jesus didn’t heal him, there was no guarantee his cloak (his “wealth,” his “home,” and his “security”) would be there when he returned to search for it. The blind man may never be able to find it again.

In faith, he blindly stepped toward the voice of Jesus.

Then, in faith, he told Jesus the desires of his heart, and Jesus healed him.

No matter how “blind” we are, Jesus loves when we leave all behind and recklessly risk losing it all as we step towards Him in faith. 

The reckless, exorbitant faith of this man, Blind Bart, inspires me.

How reckless is your faith?

Prayer of a Wise Man

Billy Graham is one of the men I respect most on this earth.

He is an American Christian evangelist.  Back in the mid-forties he began preaching the gospel message to thousands in stadiums around the United States and thereafter around the world.  In response to his simple, Bible-based gospel presentations, over the years millions of people have committed their lives to Christ, and have secured assurance of eternal life in Heaven with God.

It was one of his sermons that compelled my father to make his own simple commitment to Jesus Christ shortly before I was born.  My father's decision that day gradually shaped how he lived throughout the rest of his life.  At 83, he continues to live by Christian principles.

Born November 7, 1918, Graham has seen and experienced quite the kaleidoscope of world history and has seen great changes in transportation, war and peace efforts, technology, and morality.

This man of faith just turned 99 years old a few days ago.  As he enters his 100th year, one of his most famous quotes continues to be, "My home is in Heaven.  I'm just traveling through this world."

Health issues and simple concerns of old age are keeping him home these days.  He no longer preaches to large stadiums.  Minute by minute he simply enjoys spending time with Jesus, praying, reading the Bible, and enjoying visitors.

I cannot help but be challenged and inspired by this man.  When he soon stands before the King of Kings, I know he will be welcomed with "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

At 95 years old, Billy Graham offered a prayer over our country.  For whatever reason, it seems the media has kept its distance and has resisted trashing this man, even when prayers like this one hit the "world" squarely on the head.

This prayer was timely then, and is still timely today.  Oh, that those of us whole-heartedly following the Lord would humble ourselves and pray in agreement:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.  We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from sin and set us free.  Amen!"

May this prayer take flight on Holy Spirit wings, sweeping over our nation anew, bringing fresh repentance and restoration to the Lord.

His heart is always for redemption, for us to turn fully back to Him.

Come with me, will you?

Interrupted!

I am an organized doer, but every now and then I come up upon a massive interruption that interferes with all my plans.

I like to start my day with a list of tasks, cross them off one by one as I accomplish them, and victoriously crumple and lob the finished list in the trash bin at day's end.

I find great satisfaction in setting and accomplishing my goals.

It's just that those goals aren't always HIS, and to get my attention, He sometimes has to make an interruption into my life.

The interruption that came my way the other morning wasn't pleasant.  In all ways it was acutely painful.  I awoke with a splitting migraine headache along with a flair of another health issue I regularly battle.  Frankly, I was miserable.  It was the kind of sick that one cannot even think clearly enough to manage a call to the doctor.

Because of this unexpected interruption, I missed an appointment for major car service, a lunch meeting with other writers, and I didn't even get near my list of to-do's for the remainder of that day.  Instead, I sat curled up in a cozy blanket, stretched out on a recliner, and loopy from prescription medications.

I did have a sweet time of rest and prayer, though.  Talking to Jesus throughout my day was relaxing and calming.

Maybe He had missed me.
Maybe He created the interruption.
Maybe I ought to train myself to recognize those divine interruptions more quickly.

Research is full of data about interruptions in the work place.  One survey reports that employees suffer an average of 56 interruptions per day.  I'm fairly sure my husband would argue that the number in his office is more than that.  Some days he comes home claiming to have accomplished nothing due to all the interruptions.

The Bible, too, is full of famous people whose lives have been interrupted.  Divinely interrupted, to be sure.  From the beginning of the Old Testament to the end of the New, there are plenty of examples:

Adam was interrupted by a snake and an apple.
Abraham's life was interrupted by an unexpected moving plan.
Jonah's life was interrupted by a moment of disobedience and a large fish.
Joseph's life plan was interrupted by a lengthy prison sentence.
Samson's life was interrupted by a timely haircut.
Moses was interrupted by a bizarre fiery bush that didn't burn.
David's life was interrupted by a beautiful woman bathing on a nearby roof.
Mary's life was interrupted by a miraculous pregnancy.
A bunch of fishermen's lives were interrupted by a man wanting them to follow him.
Lazarus' life was interrupted by a four-day stay in a tomb.
Malchus' life was interrupted when his ear was violently sliced off.
Jesus' life with his Father was interrupted by 33 years on earth spent with us.

And there are so many more.

I'd like to say I welcomed the interruption to my plans the other day with grace and a Godly outlook.  I'd be lying, though.  Instead, I grumbled, complained, whined, and huffed and puffed in frustration.

I want to get better at this.  I do want to wear the Holy Spirit lenses at all times, those "glasses" that enable me to see and welcome each divine interruption.  I want to see them as clearly as if an elephant were entering the room next to me.

Lord, teach me to graciously accept the interruptions that come my way throughout each day.  With your Holy Spirit living in me, give me the ability to see your divine interruptions clearly and to know your purpose for them and my part in them.  I eagerly ask you to have your way in me at all times.  I love you and want to please you.  Amen.

Have you experienced any divine interruptions in your life lately?

Threatening To Unravel!

Whether it's due to old age, dried-out fibers, or a little bit of "assistance" from the puppy, the blanket on son Caleb's bed is disintegrating.

There are pieces all over, in between the sheets, and lying on the floor around the bed like snow.

It's totally unraveling.

Kinda like me today.

There is:

• an overabundance of laundry waiting for attention
• a little hint of marital discord
• a difficult full-of-legalese contract from my literary agent needing my response
• an after travel lack of groceries in the house
• some out-of-control hormonal fluctuations and hot flashes giving me the going over
• an overnight bellyache that is still lurking
• leftover empty cartons and containers to trip over from our goodies for the 325 trick or treaters we had two nights ago
• a work crew from the sewer company jackhammering in the street out front of my bedroom at 7:00 in the AM this morning

The thought comes easily to my mind, for I've heard it said so many times:  "God won't give you more than you can handle."  (2 Memes 10:14)

False.

In spite of the fact that I do feel overwhelmed, and I do feel a potential to unravel, I can say without a doubt that the statement is false.  Although spoken by well-meaning Christians who are attempting to encourage, it would mean we can handle everything that comes our way, no matter how much or how hard it is.  That view essentially means we don't really need God at all because we've got it handled.

Actually, at times He definitely will give us more than we can handle on our own, just so we are constantly reminded of our need for Him and for a savior.  He loves it when we run to Him, asking for His help (and his love and companionship as we travel through those hard places!)

Many stories in the Scriptures show how God put humans' backs to the wall.  Without God, all would have ended in disaster.

Let's stay true to what the Scriptures really do say.  The verse that has been twisted into the 2 Memes 10:14 version above is 1 Corinthians 10:13:

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

My frustrations and feelings that I may not be able to cope may always be there, though.  I may sense an imminent unraveling at times.

Even so, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  (Philippians 4:13)

All things, through Christ.  Not on my own.

I won't unravel.

Instead, I choose to: