Seize the Opportunity!

In Mark 10, the Bible tells the story of blind Bartimaeus who heard that Jesus was passing by as he sat by the highway side begging. The Living Bible puts it thus, “When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was near, he began to shout out, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” “Shut up!” some of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted the louder, again and again, “O Son of David, have mercy on me!”” (Mark 10:47-48).
Bartimaeus recognized this was his opportunity passing by and he knew he had to resist anyone or anything that would stop him from seizing it. Not even the shouts from the crowd for him to keep quiet could stop him. If anything, they fuelled his determination to get what he wanted from God. Reading further in the Living Bible, it says when Jesus heard him, He stopped and said, “Tell him to come here” (Mark10:49).

This was his moment. His opportunity had stopped right in front of him and he seized it quickly. When he knew Jesus was calling him, he didn’t ask for anyone to lead him to the Master, since he couldn’t see. He didn’t allow anything to hinder or limit him. His response was immediate. The Bible says he … “yanked off his old coat and flung it aside, jumped up and came to Jesus” (Mark 10:50 TLB). “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “O teacher, the blind man said, “I want to see you!” and Jesus said to him, “all right, it’s done. Your faith has healed you.” “And instantly the blind man could see and followed Jesus down the road”.

You too can make the most of divine opportunities God brings your way when you have the knowledge of the truth in you and respond quickly by faith as Bartimaeus did.