June 30 What Do You Want?

Luke 18:40-43 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”
 
IT seems that most of us are reluctant to pray for ourselves, particularly when it involves healing. Even after all these years, I feel a bit embarrassed about having low vision and telling God, “Lord, I want to see.” Perhaps I think it too large a task for him. Or I don’t want to impose on the One who has blessed me so abundantly. And, too, isn’t this physical limitation good for me? Surely God has used this to teach me to be less of myself and more of him. He had much work, and still does, to do in that regard.
    We have seen throughout Luke how multitudes of people had to press against Jesus to be healed. One man had his friends break through a roof to get to Jesus. A woman went merely to touch his robe. And a synagogue ruler sought Jesus for his daughter’s healing. From far and near, the poor and rich people went to Jesus to be healed.
    Sickness, limitations and disabilities can cause us somehow to feel shame. Perhaps we get in the way. Or we cause others to do extra things to help us. Maybe we don’t like to talk about it. Ignore our problems, and they’ll disappear, right?
    Not so. Know the Lord is asking, “What do you want me to do for you?” Will you tell him? Regardless of the issue, learn from the blind man to directly answer Jesus’ question. Learn from Jesus he will stop to hear you. He will show you in some way he loves and honors you.
    Yes, I have told the Lord, “I want to see.” He hasn’t changed my eyes, but he’s changed and is changing my heart. That is a powerful healing that causes me to praise God.
    Be humble and honest before your Father in heaven. Hear through the Son of his great love for you. I pray you all will see how God answers your honest prayers, so you will praise him, too.
 
Prayer: Lord, I want to see. I want my eyes opened to you to know all the healing you want to do in me. In your name I pray, amen.