A Singular Focus

Bible Reading: Mark 10:46-52

We humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.

We may face a special challenge as we seek recovery: there may be people watching us who don't believe we'll ever make it. If this is so, we'll need the humility to aggressively seek help despite the added distraction of people looking on. They may treat us with disrespect and tell us to give up our hopes of healing. But we don't have to listen!

Think about this story: "As Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus . . . was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' ‘Be quiet!' many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!' When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, ‘Tell him to come here.' So they called the blind man. ‘Cheer up,' they said. ‘Come on, he's calling you!' Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. ‘What do you want me to do for you?' Jesus asked. ‘My rabbi,' the blind man said, ‘I want to see!' And Jesus said to him, ‘Go, for your faith has healed you.' Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road" (Mark 10:46-52).

We, too, need to keep calling out for God's help regardless of the negative responses of those around us. He'll hear our earnest cry and heal us, to the astonishment of those who say it'll never happen!

Recovery and healing is our primary task; let no one distract us from it!