“Take heart; get up, he is calling you.”

I have got too much on my plate right now to spend more than ten minutes writing a blog, so this will be short (and hopefully sweet). I read a passage in my Bible reading today that brought tears to my eyes. The story is found in Mark 10:46-52. If you grew up in Sunday School or something, you have heard about “Blind Bartimaeus.” But all cliches aside, one particular line struck my heart.

As Jesus was leaving Jericho, Barimaeus was on the side of the road. He heard that Jesus was nearby and he started to yell for him. People began telling him to shut up. I can hear their voices now: “Be quiet. Stop it. Don’t you know how important Jesus is?” As it says in the childrens’ book, Little Blue Truck, “I haven’t got time to pass the day with every duck along the way.” But he kept yelling. Pain, disappointment, and suffering have a way of pushing someone to the point that they no longer care about their dignity. Who cares what people think when those same people are the ones passing you by and you have a chance to get into contact with Jesus. Bartimaeus didn’t care. He yelled even louder.

All of the sudden, Jesus tells a few people who are close by to go get Bartimaeus. When they approach him, they say:

“Take heart; get up, he is calling you.”

This is the line that brought tears to my heart today. What a sweet, personal moment between Jesus and one man. Can you imagine what happened in Bartimaeus’ heart? The words, “Take heart” are so powerful.

Translation: “There is reason to hope. There is reason to not give up. There is reason to not quit. You are not forgotten. He has heard you. He will see you. He is waiting. Things will now be differnet for you as you move forward.” Take a moment and breathe this in. This is fresh, clean air for the soul. He sees you today. He hears you today. He is willing to stop and engage you.

Bartimaeus’ response is priceless. In a wonderful, exhuberant, undignified manner, he throws off his cloak, spring to his feet, and goes to Jesus (Mark 10:50). Bartimaeus, the day has finally come. The Creator of the universe is not ignoring you. He has power, and he is willing to use it for your good and his glory. Today is your day. Cry no longer; your time of laugher and color has come.

So raise your head, fix your eyes on Jesus, and let your heart swell with hope once more. And hurry, your addiction to reason and past experience may already be at the door trying to convince you why faith and hope are silly.

Every person needs a personal, life-altering, break-your-heart-open, “Take heart” moment with God. So listen closely. The Lord is faithful.