Getting Attention
Sometimes you need to speak up.
Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.’ But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said. As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God. - Luke 18:31-43
What would have happened if the man had not shouted out to gain Jesus' attention?
Chances are nothing would have changed. His life would have been as it was. He would not have gained his sight.
In order for us to get what we need, we have to speak up. While God may know our thoughts and desires, He still expects us to be able to act on our faith, to seek Him out and get His attention.
How many times have you been out to dinner and you felt as though the waiter was ignoring you?
What did you do? Did you just sit there patiently and hope he comes by, or did you get to a point where you had to speak up?
When we need God's help, we have to ask for it. And if at first we are not heard, we have to ask again, more forcefully, with more conviction and feeling.
God is always with us, but it is up to us to initiate the conversation.
What have we got to lose?
More to come...