Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

Read

Mark 10:32-34, 46-52 (NRSV)

They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.”
…
They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Reflect

In remembering my call to ordained ministry, there was a time of searching my heart while also praying and asking God to make things clear to me. It was a journey that I was on for a while. In today’s scripture, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, recognized that God was his answer. He had enough faith to cry out to God, even though some told him to be quiet. Not only did Jesus heal him, but Jesus also called Bartimaeus to follow him.

God calls us to follow Jesus in many different ways. Some may be called to serve God as teachers, pastors, evangelists, musicians, video specialists, singers, medical professionals, writers and editors, farmers, or business people. I hope there will be people on your journey who will encourage you and not try to quiet or discourage you. Many people helped me to discern my call and encouraged me, although there were also some who discouraged me. If you feel that God has is calling you to a specific ministry, ask God to make clear to you what you are to do. Don’t give up; Bartimaeus didn’t. He had enough faith to know that he was going to get an answer, and you will, too.

Pray

Dear God, thank you for calling us to serve you. Thank you for guiding us and giving us an understanding of things that we do not know. We praise you for caring so much for us that you gave us Jesus. Thank you for the dreams that you give us and for your guidance along our journey. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Go with God.