A lesson from a Blind Man...

Luke 18:35-43

New International Version (NIV)

A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight

³⁵ As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. ³⁶ When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. ³⁷ They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
³⁸ He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
³⁹ Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
⁴⁰ 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.” ⁴³ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

This passage was the subject of our sermon today at Shades... and the story struck quite a chord with me. Today was one of those days at church when I was really emotionally... those happen sometimes and I just start crying when I pray, when I sing, when I reflect on the word. It all started because the first song I heard this morning was "I want to stroll over Heaven with you" which was sang at Daddy's funeral. From the beginning this morning I was missing him. Then at church we were asked to pray for our nation, and all I could think of was my sweet dear friend Ryan Rayborn who has been in Afghanistan for a little over a month... we were praying in groups within the congregation, and I literally couldn't say the words I wanted to because I was overcome with emotions for my friend. I worry about him so and all I can do it pray for him, so that is what I do... pray for safety, encouragement, and for the opportunity for him to be the amazing example to his fellow soldiers that he has always been for me. 

Chad, our Minister to University Students delivered the sermon today, and he has a great way of relating God's Word to His people. The passage, which you can read above, tells the story of a blind man who had faith that God could heal him, and even though he could not see him as he traveled by, he shouted for the Lord not to pass him by, and to have mercy on him. 

As I listened to the sermon and the story of the man of such faith, I pulled a Danny Cole and wrote a poem while in church...

Do Not Pass Me By

1/27/2013 by Kacey

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Do not pass me by Lord, 

do something in me.

Teach me your ways Lord, 

so that I can be what you want me to be.

On the days when I'm sad and the times that I'm blue, 

I pray that I will not seek comfort from things of this world, 

but that my hope will remain in You.

I know the storms will come and the wind will blow, 
for those are the words my daddy dedicated to me...

and I know you will see me through those storms, 

because you, my Father, sent your Son so that I may be free.

You know my heart Lord, better than me

so please dear Lord remind me always that by You I am free. 

Free from doubt and self-consciousness, 

because you created me unique, created me the way you need me to be.

Don't pass me by Lord, please show me your ways,

for by them is the only way I will survive the rest of my days.

As the blind man was desperate for healing, I am desperate to make changes in my life that will glorify my Lord. I want to have the faith of this man, literally blind faith, so that I may see Him and his will clearly. 

Please keep Ryan in your prayers... he truly is one of the best people I have ever known.

Love y'all, 
Kacey