What do you want?

I hope you don't mind me getting all biblical on you, I am a Christian after all.  And I think I have a story that applies to everyone, and when you are finished with this blog will find something of value in it.  It is the story of blind Bartimaeus;

Matthew 10:46-51 (New Living Translation)

46  Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47  When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 

48  “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 

49  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!” 50  Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

 

51  “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

“My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

 

There are basically two parts to this little vignette.  In the beginning, Bartimaeus cries out for help.  He is in a situation he does not think he can make better, so when Jesus and his crew pass by, he calls out for help.  In that way, he is an awful lot like the people who go to hear Jordan Peterson or read his book.  He is desperate to overcome his limitations.  He wants to live better than being a beggar on the streets.  He's grown weary of ramen noodles.  So when the opportunity comes to ask for help, he does.

Jesus' response to this is to ask a not so simple question.  “What do you want me to do for you?”

 

Uh, Jesus, in case you haven't noticed, I can't see.  What kind of question is that?  Seeing would be good I think.  Really?  That's what you got?

 

But stop and think about it for a minute.  Rephrase the question a little.  What Jesus was really asking is, "Are you sure you want this?"  You see, if Jesus answers his request, everything changes.  Everything.  In his blindness, he gets lots of assistance.  Someone else cooks his food and brings it to him.  Someone leads him where he needs to go.  He begs alms, creating a small income he did not earn.  That all goes away if he can see.

 

Now he will need to get a job.  Be useful around the house.  Babysit the grandkids rather than be babysat.  He is going to have to get up and do something.  Life is going to get more busy and difficult and more will be required of him.  Instead of being given pity, he will need to earn respect.  Listen to the part of this sermon video where the counselor explains how change is made;

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_jvEcYnOik

 

Little tiny steps, one day at a time, is how change is made in your life.  If you go to the gym, you will not see results today, but if you keep going you will see results one day.  And that is how life is, boring and difficult and unpredictable.  And Love has this really weird spelling of W-O-R-K.  Yes, getting his sight will make Bartimaeus' life better.  But it will also make it harder, for now he really will need to take up his own cross, take responsibility for his own life.  His load will grow much heavier, not lighter.

That is the truth about life; the heavier the load the more meaning it holds.  Striving builds character, but it is also the only way to live.  Ultimately, Jesus was asking the question I really have for you and me - "Do you want to live?"  All the extra responsibility, and the effort, all the failure, all the humility your existence will place on you hides a deeper secret.

This is where life is found.

Life is not found at a banquet you did not pay for.  It is found at your own table, among your family and friends and people who love you.  Life is found in the things you earn and victories you gain and friends you make along the way and in the God who loves you and is pleased with your success and only requests honor in return.  That is where life is.  So I ask you, do you want to live?  If you do, you cannot check out or become a spectator.  Watching life go by is not living.

So live, and do not die, and find the meaning in this.  It is all we have.  And in the end, I promise you it is good when we add it all up.  So live.