But now, I am where Bartimaeus is. I am ready to not only listen to God, but also to jump to my feet with a joyful heart because He is going to heal me. Does this mean my diabetes could go away instantly? Sure, if it is Jesus' will. But for me, I believe the journey of learning to eat right with exercise is the only way that will lead to a lifestyle change. A lifestyle that can guarantees success, so that one day I can say I am not a diabetic. One day I will be cured from my own blindness.

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

— Mark 10:46-52

What have I learned from blind Bartimaeus:

1. You must acknowledge you need healing.
Bartimaeus knew he needed healing. He had been on the side of this road many times, begging for money, for food. I can't believe that anyone would want this type of life. To sit day after day, praying someone would give you something to eat. Perhaps this day you might have only gotten scraps. Scraps not even fit for a dog. Or maybe it’s a day you get an apple, a fig or something cold to drink. Maybe, just maybe, you get really blessed and someone throws you a coin. I pray Bartimaeus catches it before someone else sees it. Can you see Bartimaeus scrambling to find the coin in the dirt as if his life depends on it? But wait, his life does depend on it.

So what about your life? Would you rather stay where you are? Trying day by day to get by? Just enough money to pay the bills, or just enough of serving God to make him happy or just enough kindness to strangers so you have done your "part"?

Bartimaeus taught me that it isn’t enough. At some point in time you need to stop this madness. At some point in time you need to acknowledge that you don't want to stay where you are, that you are ready for change. Bartimaeus was ready to change.

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
— Mark 10:47

2. You must know where to get the healing.
Bartimaeus knew who the Great Physician was. He knew that Jesus could heal him, even instantly. He didn’t demand Christ to heal him, but instead in humility asked him for mercy.

Sometimes we talk to God likes he's Santa Claus. OK, God, here is what I want. Now give it to me. In fact, I think we are even teaching our kids, nieces, nephews, etc. the same principle. No one seems to know the value of work, of waiting and being patient, of being obedient. Bartimaeus had obviously heard of Jesus and who he was. He knew he could heal him. But at the same time, based on how he asked him, he also knew it might not be God's will to heal him.

Is there something in your life that you have ask God to heal you from? Something you have ask for? Maybe a spouse, a better job, better home, etc.? How are you asking for it? Bartimaeus taught me that God is the only one who can give me what I need. The only one who can cure me of anything. But all things must be asked in his will … with patience and humility

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
— Mark 10:47

3. Don't ever let anyone stop you from speaking the truth, especially when God has revealed it to you already.
I get so tired of people telling me what I should do or should say. Most people speak things to me because of their own fears, of their own experiences. People, understand that God had told Bartimaeus of who He was. Bartimaeus had every right to shout out to Jesus. He wasn't shouting to be rude, but realized they were outside and there was a crowd. He had to shout to get Jesus' attention. Now did Jesus know what Bartimaeus was thinking before he shouted?  Sure. I mean Bartimaeus could have whispered or touched his cloak like others, and Jesus would have known. However, this wasn't about Jesus knowing Bartimaeus needed healing, but it was about teaching us today of where we need to go for the healing. It was about letting others know of our faith. It's about letting others see our worship, our submission, our humility.

Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
— Mark 10:48