Skip to main content

Longing for More



Have you ever longed for anything or anyone?

Have you ever longed more for it?

I am in the midst of reading a book called, "Sacred Rhythms" by Ruth Haley Barton and she shared the story about Jesus' encounter with blind Bartimaeus on the Jericho road (Mark 10:46-52).  We do not know how long Bartimaeus had been begging along the side of the road or even on this particular day how long he was there.  But this day, Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by.  On this day, maybe Jesus could do something for him that no one else has ever been able to do.  On this day, maybe just maybe Jesus could do what Bartimaeus had been hoping for and dreaming of for a very long, long time.

This day was very noisy and very crowded that it would have been very difficult to get someone's attention.  Imagine with me that you are at a basketball game.  The stands are packed with fans.  Everyone is yelling and cheering.  How would you get the attention of the head referee?  In order for Bartimaeus to get Jesus' attention above the noise of the crowd, he had to go deep inside himself in order to cry out from that place, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  The people near Bartimeaus tried to shut him up but yet he cried out all the more.  Stop and imagine how that would sound to you.  Imagine yourself in your own place of need.  How do you approach Jesus or try to get his attention?  What words would you use?  What emotions do you feel?

Jesus heard Bartimaeus.  Bartimeaus' soul cry captured the attention of Jesus.  Now imagine Jesus walking along the road to Jericho with his disciples and this large crowd, with the noise levels so high it's hard to hear the person beside you let alone someone calling out.  Yet this soul cry caught Jesus' attention.  Jesus stopped walking.  Do you think the crowd became so quiet you could hear a pin drop?  He turned to look at Bartimeaus.  May had to walk to where Bartimeaus was standing.  Jesus asks, "What do you want me to do for you?"  This question required Bartimeaus to name his desire.

This parallels another story of a paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:6-9).  Jesus asks him, "Do you want to be made well?"  How bad do you want it?  Do you want it bad enough to do something about it?  At first the paralyzed man made excuses but then wanted it bad enough that he did was Jesus told him to do which opened up the man to experience Jesus' healing power.

Imagine in your cry out to Jesus that Jesus turns to you.  You are face to face with one another.  Jesus asks, "What do you want me to do for you?"  Allow yourself to feel how deep your desire goes.  Do not be afraid of the emotions.  Simply relish the intimacy and richness that comes when we are able to "be with what is" in God's presence.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

January Newsletter

    SHANNON’S CORNER Winter Blast… Brr. It’s cold outside.  Winter is not a favorite season for many people, but I love winter. There is a beauty in the dormant, snow covered, and coldness of winter that embraces and permeates us to the depths of our bones.  It reminds me of the Lord’s love that embraces and permeates us to the depths of our heart and soul.  The snow brings a smile to my face as I delight in the quietness, calming, beautifying, and a slower pace.  Recently, I was talking with someone in Louisiana who was going to be making a snowman and snow angel with his granddaughter.  What playfulness and awe to experience the Lord’s beauty. Community is so important to our lives that even the Lord noticed how alone Adam was in the garden that He made Eve.  It is where you are seen, known, and find belonging.  It has been something I have prayed for, asked you all to be praying for, have sought after in ...
Post a Comment
Read more

March Newsletter

  SHANNON’S CORNER Connect. Nurture. Grow. An unexpected and unplanned trip led me to see God’s marvelous and wonderful work at the Assist Pregnancy Center. I learned from the staff that this pregnancy center is unique and different in that the population they serve are women who come already with an 85-90% decision made of aborting their babies. The medical staff who are in the rooms with the women during their ultrasounds share Jesus with them and are compassionate witnesses to each baby as they are seen, valued, and loved. If the mother decides to have the baby the center walks alongside with the mother and family. I had the precious privilege to facilitate a training with all the staff of the pregnancy center to talk about the Wounds from the Work.  Listening to their stories of how the Lord called them to work at this pregnancy center and what the cost has been to them, and their families was sacred ground.  Creating a safe place for them to be seen and heard in thei...
Post a Comment
Read more

October Newsletter

  SHANNON’S CORNER The Saga Continues… The trip to Malaysia consisted of a two-day spiritual retreat with the theme of ‘Come Away With Me’ and a six-day conference with about 230 missionaries who serve in some aspect of translating the Scriptures. One of the many people who I met was a missionary who served in Cameroon for many years and now is in a new role. As he was sharing, most his words were very negative and depressive. I encouraged him to sign up for a time of prayer and care. At the end of the retreat, this missionary shared with me that he did have a session and I could see that his whole countenance changed, and he was hopeful. His new word he used to describe where he was now is ‘delightful.’ Our time there was creating a safe space for these missionaries to have a place to share what they are struggling with and to connect with Jesus. One missionary is at a crossroads in her life. Another finds himself in the midst of betrayal. A missionary is in a new role as a caregi...
Post a Comment
Read more