It started out as just another day for Bartimeaus, a blind man who was next to the road into Jericho. He was probably sitting in his usual place—begging from everyone who passed by.

But then a large crowd began walking by. When Bartimeaus learned that Jesus was passing by, he began to cry out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Now there were many in the crowd traveling with Jesus that didn't like this loud disruption from a beggar. They rebuked Bartimeaus and told him to be quiet. But the more they attempted to silence him, the more desperately and loudly he cried out.

Then Jesus stopped and He called for him. Some in the crowd told Bartimeaus, "Cheer up. Get on your feet! He's calling you." Bartimeaus threw off his cloak, jumped on his feet and came to Jesus.

Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?  Bartimeaus replied, "I want to see." Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” Immediately Bartimeaus received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

We recently had a prayer retreat where we spent time with God reflecting on this passage. We were challenged to consider this story from many different perspectives.

It's easy to identify with Bartimeaus. There are times when we would really like to be able see into the future. It would be so much easier to make plans if we would know what was going to happen. We live in an uncertain world. We never know when certain doors for ministry are going to open, or if those doors will suddenly close. There are many things in life that cause us to become paralyzed—blind to what God wants for us—choosing instead to sit by the road doing nothing. But that is not what God asks us to do. God doesn't show us the future. He asks us to trust in Him.

As I think about the crowd following Jesus in this story, I don't want to be one who ignores or just walks by someone who is desperately crying out to Jesus. As followers of Christ, we want to be able to see the Bartimeaus that God has placed along our path. We don't want to be blind to those opportunities to tell people that Jesus really does hear their cries for help. He is calling to them and is always ready to give them healing. All they have to do is simply believe and follow Him.

What do you want to see?