Focus

Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.

Read

Reflect

There’s a unique, remarkable thing I’ve witnessed a couple of times when serving in various outreach ministries, and maybe you have, too. It’s when someone who has been served by the ministry transitions to become one who volunteers in the ministry. Someone who once received, now shares in the giving. I’m not sure if I’ve seen anyone serve with more purpose and commitment than folks that fit this description. Additionally, their involved presence serves as a living witness to the meaning and importance of the ministry. What a powerful thing that is!

In this text, Jesus serves and tends to the need of Bartimaeus, and because of that, Bartimaeus follows Jesus. Ironically, Jesus tells him to “Go,” and Bartimaeus doesn’t go anywhere! He’s now a follower of Jesus. That’s a pretty effective model for evangelism and discipleship if you ask me. Serve others and serve them well, and they just may choose to be a part of what you are doing, of what Jesus is doing through you.

Maybe that’s the challenge before us today. When we encounter folks in need of something, however annoying their pleas may be to us, may we ultimately have the grace of Jesus to offer help, to tend their needs as best we can. Perhaps, through our effort, someone may find some healing, find some new vision, find Jesus in their midst and want to discover more.

Pray

Jesus, you call us into relationship with you. That means looking for you, watching and studying you, and following you. When we do that, we find ourselves in relationship with others that you call. O God, open our eyes and give us the grace to greet one another as brothers and sisters that you’ve called together to follow you. Teach us to always welcome and love one another, we pray. Amen.

Go with God!