What do you want?

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

As Jesus passes through Jer icho he walks by a blind man named Bartimaeus on the side of the road (Mark 10:4652) and He asks the guy, “What do you want me to do for you?” Wow, that’s like being picked by Bob Barker (or Drew Carey) to, “Come on down!” Or Monte Hall picking you out of the crowd when you’re dressed like a can of green beans. Think with me for just a minute - Jesus calls you over and then He asks you, “What do you want me to do for you?” This is the same guy who is described in Ephesians 3:20 as being able to do, “far more than we can imagine or ask.”

Obviously this modern day homeless type guy had thought about what if he ever won the lottery. He knew exactly what he wanted. It was probably from all the hours he sat on the side of the road begging; he wanted his sight. No, brainer, right? But what about you? What do you want Jesus to do for you? That’s a big ask!

What you want Jesus to do is reflected in your prayers, your daily living and how you exercise your faith. I don’t dream as much as I used to because I’m old, tired and too cynical, plus most of my dreams have already come true so it is hard for me to answer that question.

I know I want people to know Jesus. I want people to know love (that’s kind of the same thing, right?). I want marriages healed, families reconciled and a house in a neighborhood so I can know my neighbors. I want more time to surf, write, run and read. I want my friend who is underutilized at his job to have a new job. I want another friend who is so bitter and always the smartest guy in the room to be humbled and know that God likes him and so do I. I want people to stop wearing the scarlet letter the culture has given them. I want people to know there’s only one way to Heaven and its why Jesus came and died on a cross. I want the church to be reminded that the mandate is to make disciples.

Jesus prayed in Luke 22:42 for a Plan B (He was going to the cross and not looking forward to it), this was His petition, but He included a “yet not my will, but yours be done.” I guess at the end of the day that’s what I want too. I would answer His question with a question, Lord, what do YOU want?

He told me to tell you that.