Several times a day I will do a “toss up” prayer. - “Lord lead me on the path you have for me.” I have many “toss up” prayers, today I’ll focus on this one. This little prayer is a way of reminding me to surrender my agenda and it helps get me back to Center.

In my quieter moments, I have been practicing different forms of prayer. When the above Mark scripture came across my path, I felt led to St. Ignatian’s Imaginative Prayer. This type of prayer is a way of meeting God through the story. As you allow the Holy Spirit to guide the prayer, not forcing anything, the prayer will unfold. Envision yourself in the Scripture story - using all your senses, your heart, mind, imagination, spirit and body, sitting with the story long after the reading ends. It is a wonderful, rich experience.

So when I took this Bible story to the Imaginative prayer practice, the Holy Spirit uncovered some of my blind spots. In the story of blind Bartimaeus, he wants to be healed. Jesus is willing and able so Bart gets up, finds the road, finds Jesus and he’s healed and becomes a follower of Jesus.Thanks be to God!

I am curious why Jesus didn’t go to him. Wouldn't that have been easier? I wonder how far Bart had to walk? Did he think, “really, I have to go to you. Where are you even?”

A few days prior to this exercise, these were similar questions I was peppering God with. “God, why don’t you come to me? You seem so far.” My asking gets louder - “Do I really have to go looking for you? Where in the name of Pete are you?” I was picturing myself sitting passively, waiting for...something. My heart was honest when I asked Jesus to lead me, but I guess my vision of “following” had me levitating or had a “beam me up Scotty” element to it. Maybe I thought Jesus would bring the path to me and slip it under my behind, not sure. So, sitting with the story long after reading it, I sensed - Marlee, get on the path and be “on your way”. Take action. I am right here, willing and able to lead you. (like I asked in my prayer) but I can lead only if you follow and following requires action. 

Yes, often, following Jesus looks like sitting quietly, discerning, listening for the still small voice. Yet, as a follower of Jesus I do things. I serve, I help, I take action. Sometimes it’s not easy or convenient, but as a response to God’s generous, loving kindness, my desire is to answer the call Jesus is putting forth and follow in word and deed.

Be assured, I have learned the hard way that I can not “take action” out of guilt or at the expense of my mental, physical, emotional or spiritual health. But I have also learned that serving and helping is truly what keeps my health in balance.

So like Bartimaeus, it's our lucky day! Jesus is calling you and me to follow him in the work he is doing in the world; followers in word and deed. Let’s be people who, like Bartimaeus, step out in faith and answer the call to be on our way.

Creator God, we thank you and praise you because you are worthy. The needs in the community and world are great, sometimes overwhelming. In your grace, you ask us to do only what we can, where we are. Open our eyes and ears and hearts to know what it is you are calling us to, and help us be faithful in it. In our following and asking and doing, may you Jesus, be glorified. Amen.