How’s That Working for You?

Read

Mark 10:46b-50 “A blind man, Bartimaeus (which means ‘son of Timaeus’), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.’ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.”

Think

Some days are just tougher than others, aren’t they? You wake up and there it is – that looming day you’ve been dreading. It could be a doctor’s appointment, a meeting with a teacher, or a sit-down with your boss. The anxiety creeps in, that sense of dread settles in your stomach like a heavy stone. But then, like a gentle whisper, God reminds you that he’s got it all under control. He nudges your heart and urges you to let his peace flow through you instead of giving in to worry and fretting. After all, he sees everything that’s coming your way, and he’s already there, paving the path ahead.

In Mark chapter 10, there’s a powerful story about a blind man named Bartimaeus. Picture this: he’s sitting by the road, as he always does, when he hears a commotion. A crowd is approaching, and as a blind man, he could have panicked. He could have worried about being trampled or overlooked yet again. But instead, he chooses to focus on what his heart can see rather than what his eyes cannot. With a burst of faith, he cries out to Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Despite the people around him trying to silence him, Bartimaeus persists. He refuses to let anything hinder his call for help. And then, something incredible happens – Jesus stops. He hears the cry of faith amidst the noise and commands that Bartimaeus be brought to him, to Jesus. Without hesitation, Bartimaeus throws aside his coat, leaps up, and runs toward Jesus, guided by his unwavering faith.

What a beautiful picture of faith in action! Bartimaeus didn’t let his physical blindness hold him back; instead, he ran toward Jesus, trusting him completely. Likewise, on those tough days filled with appointments and uncertainties, we have a choice. We can either let anxiety paralyze us or run in faith toward the One who sees it all. Just like Bartimaeus, if we listen to his voice instead of our fears, our faith will lead us to wholeness and peace. So let’s choose faith over fear and let God guide us through every step, even when we can’t see what lies ahead.

Apply

Focus your faith on Jesus. Remind yourself of the times God has answered your cries for help. List three times when God answered your prayers.

Pray

Lord, I acknowledge that some days are harder than others, and I often find myself filled with anxiety and doubt. Help me to shift my focus from my worries to your promises. Open my eyes to see with faith what my heart knows to be true—that you are in control and that I can trust you completely. In Jesus’ name. Amen.