Luke 18: 35-42
As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.
I recently received a text from my housekeeper saying she would no longer clean my house because I paid too little. I was confused because I've been paying exactly what she charged. In response, I asked her how much she wanted me to pay. As I watched her grey bubbles appear and disappear in our text, I could tell that she struggled to ask for what she wanted. It was easier for her to quit the job than ask for a raise.
I get it. Like my housekeeper, I, too, have struggled with making my request known. I think it comes from childhood. Growing up, I never wanted to ask my dad for more than I thought he could give. I knew he would literally break his back to meet my expectations, and I didn't want him to carry the burden of my requests. That reluctance has shown up in many aspects of my life: fear of communicating my expectations, asking for a promotion, and asking for what I want. I found this to be true even in my walk with God.
Many of us are navigating life in this same way. We are not showing up because we are afraid to ask for what we want. Instead of staying in a position where God has assigned us, we leave to avoid the possibility of a no. Which makes me wonder how many of us are beating around the bush in our prayers. Are we avoiding conversations with God because we are too afraid to ask and believe God for what we want? As I began to read the devotional scripture, I realized I could learn a lot from the blind man's interaction with Jesus:
Align your request with your access. Notice how the scripture says the blind man spent his day begging people for handouts. However, when he came into the presence of Jesus, he changed his request. He didn't ask Jesus for charity, but He asked Jesus for sight. He knew he had access to more and didn't stop at handouts. Jesus asked him, what do you want me to do for you? In this question, Jesus is setting himself apart from every other person the blind man had made a request of. Sometimes God is waiting for us to ask for what only He can do. When given the opportunity, the blind man chose to ask God for a radical change instead of loose change. Having vision would POSITION him to do what his blindness PREVENTED him from doing. How many of you ask God for spare change instead of radical change? The kind of change that would transform how you see and do life.
Let your Faith see on your behalf. Although this man could not physically see Jesus or see his way of his situation. He let his Faith do the seeing for him. Sometimes the only line of sight we have is our Faith. We have to see God even we can't see Him. How do you do that? You have to listen to God in other areas. Scripture tells us that Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). I suspect that the blind man built his trust in God based on other miracles he had heard about throughout the community. Listen for the blessings around you and let what you hear impact how you see.
Don't confuse what others can give with what you deserve. One person's budget is no indication of your value. Perhaps, you are going for a job, and they offer you less than you desire. This doesn't mean that you are deserving of less. It could simply mean that they give you as much as they can provide. The blind man did not let receiving handouts from others stop him from believing he was worthy of vision.
It's time to show up and ask for what you want! Stop waiting for others to see your worth--- it's not their responsibility. Stop beating around the bush with God as though there is anything too hard for Him. Instead, dare to ask for what you want. What you ask God for says a lot about who you think God is. God is honored in your ask.
So, I ask, what do you want? I am not asking about what you think you need to cope with the voids in your life. I am asking about what you genuinely desire underneath the handouts you've been requesting to get by. Are you asking for handouts when you want AND have access to vision?
My Prayer for you this month: I pray that you begin to see the value you bring to the table. I pray that you are delivered from the fear of rejection and find the courage you need to communicate your needs and expectations. I pray that you don't disregard others if they are incapable of meeting your expectations. Know that their lack is not an indication of your worth. I pray that you align your request with your access. Don't minimize your ask of God to the limitations of man. Remember, Be anxious about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6). Finally, I pray that you continue to grow in Faith, knowing that there is nothing too hard for God. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Speaking of asking what you want: I want you to join me at our virtual Design Workshop this month. This month we are focusing on uncovering your message and how to bring it to life in Canva. Register here.
