Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!”  And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road. Mark 10:46-52

Would that we’d all be like Bartimaeus! No, that I’d be more like this blind beggar! Fearfully and reverently assertive with God despite my lowly position. Opportunistic in my hardship or misfortune to press the Lord to act. Aware of the Lord’s constant presence in my life. (Why not ask him for help?) Belief in who Jesus is and what he can do. (“If you believe, you will see the glory of God.” John 11:40) Persistent in my pursuit of him when he doesn’t appear to stop and look my way. Bold in my faith, perhaps even daring. Tossing aside my temporal and perhaps only source of comfort—whatever my cloak is—to obey his call. A follower of Christ in light of all that he’s provided in the past and present—What great things! Mark 5:19—and what he’s promised to do in the future.