I remain fascinated by the story of the blind man who sat by the wayside of life begging as Jesus came near to the city of Jericho. It is a most unusual, inspirational story. The more I read the more I am convinced that his healing began when he ventured to ask a question. He sat by the wayside blind and begging, but he plain refused to just let life pass him by.

The fact is so many of us just allow life to happen to us, instead of making things happen. There is such a difference between allowing things to happen to us and in us making things happen. Though blind, this man still wanted to know what was going on around him. He remained engaged. He never lost his curiosity. He asked a question. In a very real way this question triggered his healing.

One would have thought that after so many years of being blind, this man known as blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46), would have gotten used to his blindness by now, but not so, according to the passage. After all this time he still passionately wanted to see, live and experience life more fully and in a different dimension. His earnest request was “. . . Lord, that I may receive my sight” (v42).

Sometimes we can get so used to our conditions that we cease seeking deliverance and healing from the root cause of our ailments and afflictions. We learn how to manage the symptoms and adjust to our circumstances. This blind man, however, never stopped until the deep desires of his heart were met. His zest for a better life remained unabated. When he “saw” his chance of receiving a miracle, he gave it his best shot. This blind man “saw” what those with sight could not see.

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth who was passing by, he never sent word to Jesus through a messenger. Some cases you can’t leave in the people’s hands. Some cases we must prosecute and plead ourselves. He sat right where he was and decided to make himself heard. If you cry long and loud enough somebody must hear you. In this case, he went out on a limb and received the miracle of his life. He tried something! He did something! He used his own voice and even when they tried to shut him up “. . . he cried so much the more . . .” (v39).

This blind man did something! He refused to disengage! He intently asked a question! He wanted to know! He still wanted to know what was going on all around him. On this day he refused to be left behind or go unheard any longer. He just got tired of being ignored, shut down, unseen, invisible and overlooked. On this day he decided to make some noise until he was seen and heard.

Maybe it’s time for some of us to re-engage, to ask some questions, to do something, even to make some noise, to protest about our conditions until something majorly happens. Sometimes all we need to do is just ask a question and then do something! Don’t let the Master and life pass you by. Curiously ask a question and cause the Master to pay attention to your cries and needs.