As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Luke 18:35–38 (NIV)
This past week the clutter of life has been overwhelming me. Dishes, laundry, homework, book reports, writing deadlines, church schedules, car repairs. It is nothing out of the ordinary but sometimes the ordinary feels like it is too much.
My children know when I have had enough because after dinner, they find me lying immobile on the couch, surrounded by unfolded laundry. My youngest son, Addison, once mentioned, “Hey, Mom! I think you really like being on the couch.” Yes. It would seem that I do. Or maybe it is more that life has flattened me with its fullness.
It is in those moments that I need to be looking for Jesus. Reaching for Him. Calling out to Him. I keep thinking it is up to me to get me through life. This approach is not really working for me or anyone else who likes a seat on the couch.
I love the story of the blind man who hears that Jesus is passing by. He knows he can’t get to Jesus in the crowd. But he also knows that Jesus is whom he needs. So he does what he can. He yells. He shouts. He screams. “Jesus! Help me! Have mercy on me!” And Jesus hears him. He floods his life with mercy. He brings healing to his life and sight to his eyes. He revolutionizes his world because . . . this man called to Him. He needed Him. He saw Him for Who He was: The Son of God. This week I am taking a different approach. The couch is out. Calling out to Jesus, the healer of my soul, is in.
Faith Step: Pray out loud and let Jesus know that you need Him. That you want His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness, and His hope to flood your life.
