Where Do We Go
Too many people want to live in the past; they keep feeding off some great thing they did. We need to answer the question where do we go from here? Where do we go from this point on? Do we live in the past, or do we forget the past and go on to the greater things God has for us in the future? Many people in the word of God have asked themselves the same question: where do we go from here?
In Mark’s Gospel we find a man who was sitting at a gate beside the road to Jericho. His destiny had been chosen for him through his circumstances. He was blind and there were no welfare funds back then, no vocational training for the handicapped, and no Braille. Circumstances had left Bartimaeus at the lowest of the low and humility, which lead to begging.
There he sits beside the road holding up a cup. The dust from the hooves of the animals and the feet of the people walking by settles on his clothes. Many times, he smells the food some of them are eating, and his stomach cries out for just a piece of bread. He still sits there, waving his cup, hoping a wealthy merchant or landowner will drop in a few coins so that he can make it another day.
One day Bartimaeus hears a commotion. A large crowd seemed to be approaching Jericho. He asks someone what is going on. They reply, “It is just Jesus of Nazareth passing by don’t get excited”. The person contuined to say “the crowd will be gone in a minute, and maybe you can get a few coins in your cup from them.” Bartimaeus is faced with this question: where do I go from here? What do I do now?
He realizes that this is the man who has been going around and doing good and healing the sick and oppressed of the devil. Acts 10:38 You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
He realizes this is his opportunity. What he does from this moment on does not rest in the hands of God; it does not rest in the hands of religious leaders. What happens to him from this moment on rest with Bartimaeus himself!
The Word of God says, “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” When Bartimaeus hears who is passing him by, Faith leaps up in his heart. He asks himself; do I sit here and let the crowd go by and maybe get a few coins? Or do I turn to the only help mankind has ever known? Where do I go from here?
It doesn’t take him long to make up his mind and respond to that question. Jumping to his feet, he screams and hollers, “Jesus, have mercy on me!” The men in front of Jesus told Bartimaeus to be quiet and shut up. They said don’t you know Jesus is coming.
It is strange that those who are always walking out in front of Jesus want everything to be quiet, and those who are walking alongside Him are rejoicing, praising God, and having a good time?
Faith in God cannot be quieted! When circumstances come in like a flood, the cry of faith will ring out louder. The word said Bartimaeus did not shut up he cried out louder. He screamed at the top of his lungs.
Bartimaeus could have done as many people do today. He could have sat down and said all right lord you know my needs. I’m just going to sit here and meditate and project my spiritual thoughts. When they reach you, if you want to bless me, just come over here and touch me. I’m going to sit right here and be quiet. I’m not going to cause any commotion. I know you’re supposed to be quiet when Jesus is around. If that was what Bartimaeus had actually said, he would be still sitting, blind, and on that road outside of Jericho.
He screamed louder as he heard Jesus approach. His life was changed. Bartimaeus had faith and wanted to change his destiny. So, by faith he was healed. The Bible tells us that blind Bartimaeus walked up to Jesus, and looked into the direction of his voice that was flowing with love from the master, and asked straight forwardly, I want to see, Lord. Jesus said you are healed. Immediately, Bartimaeus began seeing. He began to praise God and follow the crowd. He had made his choice. He didn’t listen to those around him who were trying to discourage him.
If you listen to those who discourage you around you, they’ll keep you in bondage. If you do not read, study and understand the Word of God you’ll remain in bondage.
But if you open your eyes wide to the truth of God’s Word you can change your destiny in life. If your destiny is changed, it will be because you realize the truth of God’s Word and get up and walk in it. Find out what God wants from you and do it. Your destiny belongs to you. Don’t let the devil take it away from you.