By Daniel Speas
Luke 18:35-43 - As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too. (NLT)
Have you ever done something stupid because of peer pressure or the influence of those around you?
I know that I have, especially in my younger days...but even now, I still find myself influenced by others. Sometimes I mow the lawn (not because I care), but because I’m worried what my neighbors will think. There are times when I check my mail in my PJ’s (not because I care that much), but I don't want to be judged.
I know I’m not the only one who thinks like this. Most of us in life crave acceptance. We have a strong desire to be liked. We want to be normal. Even many of society's weirdest folks have their own groups that accept them. It’s part of being human.
In my devotions this week, I read Luke's account of a blind beggar who longed for Jesus to heal him. He was so desperate that he could be heard screaming overtop the crowd. More than anything else, he wanted a touch from God. When the crowd tried to silence him, he cried even more loudly!
His passion and unashamed fervor allowed him to enjoy a touch from God that most others missed out on! He was healed, because he cried out to God. We see that God honored the persistence, humility and unashamed desperation of the blind beggar.
There have been times in my life when I have missed out, spiritually, because I was too embarrassed or ashamed to follow God’s leading.
On more than one occasion I know that God wanted me to witness to someone………..and I didn’t.
On more than one occasion I know that God wanted me to address someone’s sin…..........and I didn’t.
On more than one occasion I know that I was suppose to pray for a miracle, but…………….I didn’t.
I don’t know if my disobedience would have changed a heart or been a conduit for a miracle (there's nothing special about me). But I know that I was being disobedient, because I didn’t want to be weird. And my disobedience kept me from being God’s instrument.
But the blind beggar set aside his pride. He humbled himself. And he cried out to Jesus. When everyone else was telling him to shut up and be quiet, he cried out all the more. He ignored the crowd.
What would have happened to the blind beggar if he listened to the crowd? What would have happened to him if he did what was normal? What would have happened if he didn’t speak up?
I don’t know for sure, but I think he would have missed out on Jesus’s miracle for him.
Jesus noticed this guy, because of his persistence, humility and unashamed desperation. And all throughout scripture we see God honoring persistence, humility and unashamed desperation.
I believe that many Christians miss out on God’s will/best, because it requires humbling one's self and stepping out of one's comfort zone. We miss out on the miracle God has for us, because of fear/peer pressure.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to miss any more opportunities to be used by God. I don’t want to let fear hold me back from God’s best in my life.
Prayer: God forgive us for caring more about what others think, than you. Fill us with Your boldness. Teach us to be sensitive to Your voice and to Your leading. Help us be faithful and obedient. Give us the humility to unashamedly recognize our need for You. And give us the fortitude to persistently call upon Your name for all that we need. Amen.
If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 18 & Psalm 55.