What do you want me to do for you?

Luke 18 : 35 - 43

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! ...Lord, I want to see!

It is always an eye opener when I visit the open market at SS2. As usual, being fairly early today, I saw the truckload of enforcement officers from MBPJ on duty. They are there most mornings to monitor the 'illegal' vendors who set up stall from their cars or vans! Imagine, there are two cars that come quite regularly - one looks like a large flower pot with all kinds of plants inside, on the seats, on the floor etc. Another is full of clothes....stuffed everywhere, even in the boot. I stopped to talk to one of the vendors some time ago. I asked them why they don't get a proper licence. Well, the reason was that they couldn't get one - too much red tape. Knowing how our authorities work, I am inclined to believe them.

And today I met the man Albert, who suffers from a mental illness and goes around PJ peddling pens to support himself. This time it was permanent markers he was selling. I bought a set and had a long chat with him. It was really encouraging to know that he is a Christian who worships at one of the large churches in PJ. He speaks clearly of God's mercy in his life and said that he is writing a book to testify about his life with mental illness. Perhaps the next time I meet him, he will be selling his book.

A busy market place....many people buying and selling. It was the same in Jesus' time. Crowded streets, all manner of people with various needs. A crowd accompanied Jesus as he approached Jericho. A blind man, whom we know as Bartimaeus from Mark's account cried out for help. He was physically blind, yet in his heart, he recognized Jesus as the Son of David, the awaited Messiah, and even calls him Lord (Mark records this as 'Rabbi'). He received his sight. But more importantly, he 'follows Jesus, praising God'. I always wonder what I would answer if Jesus asked me "What do you want me to do for you?" There are many things I would want in life....and many things the people I met at the market might ask for........yet if it were distilled down to the purest desire...what would it be? I used this passage to lead a group in imaginative prayer at a recent retreat. As I heard the question afresh myself, my answer was "I want to see. Lord, I want to see things with the eyes of faith. To know that you are working in all things, for my good and for your glory. May I live my life following You and always praising God".

(Picture: the face of a blind man made out of modeling clay by one of the retreatants)