From Begging for Change to Being Changed

Life is often described as a journey filled with highs and lows. As we navigate this journey, it’s easy to feel lost or stuck due to adverse experiences from our choices or others’ actions. Such hardships can lead to despair, leaving us feeling excluded and hopeless. I understand all too well the feeling of being an outcast, lost in the crowd without direction.

In the Gospel of Mark (10:46-52), we meet Bartimaeus, a blind beggar sitting beside the road, representing all of us at different points in our lives. Just as Bartimaeus was blind and marginalized, we too can become mentally, emotionally, and spiritually blind and overlooked. However, Bartimaeus’s story doesn’t end in despair. When he hears that Jesus is passing by, he cries out for mercy and persists despite the crowd’s attempts to silence him, leading to a transformative encounter that reminds us that renewed hope and healing are always possible along this journey.

Bartimaeus did not remain silent in his blindness; he acknowledged his condition and cried out for help. In our own lives, we must also admit when we are struggling. This can be challenging, as pride and fear often keep us from reaching out. Acknowledging our need is the first step toward healing. I have often found myself in this position, feeling like the beggar by the roadside, desperate for help but hesitant to reach out.

When the crowd tried to silence Bartimaeus, he did not give up. He continued to cry out until he was heard. Similarly, we must persevere in seeking help, even in the face of discouragement or opposition. Our persistence reflects our desire for change. When Bartimaeus was called over, he threw his cloak aside and jumped to his feet. This cloak, likely one of his few possessions, represented his old life as a beggar. By casting it aside, he demonstrated his readiness to leave the past behind and embrace a new life. We, too, must be willing to let go of what holds us back, whether past hurts, unhealthy habits, or negative influences.

Bartimaeus did not wait for help to come to him; he moved toward it. In our lives, we must take active steps toward our recovery, seeking support through groups, available resources, or therapy. Are you moving toward help?

We must also be mindful of the journey of others. We can become roadblocks by demanding others to recover “our way”. I’ve struggled with this, sometimes finding that my actions or attitudes hinder others. Instead, let’s strive to offer hope, compassion, and grace, rather than adding to the burdens of others. Jesus met Bartimaeus right where he was, sitting by the roadside at a low point. He didn’t wait for Bartimaeus to improve his circumstances; He met him in his moment of need. This serves as a reminder that we don’t need to have everything figured out or be in a perfect place to seek or receive help. There are numerous ways to find sobriety and to recover.

The story of Bartimaeus reminds us that our journeys, no matter how challenging, are not without hope. Like Bartimaeus, we may sometimes feel excluded and hopeless. However, by acknowledging our struggles and reaching out for support, we can overcome the obstacles that hold us back. Bartimaeus’s determination inspires us to persist in seeking help, even in the face of adversity. As we navigate our journeys, let’s remember that everyone’s path will look different and extend hope, compassion, and grace to others, ensuring we serve as guides rather than roadblocks. With Jesus, we can move from begging for change to being changed.