See through your hope
Faith is something that we hope for until we see it come to pass. The challenge for all believers and people, in general, is not the believing part of it but the condition of the heart during the process from the beginning until we either see what we hope for or not see it and quit.
For example, in the book of Mark, verse fifty-two of chapter ten, there is a blind man named Bartimaeus, believing to receive his sight. Jesus, the Son of God, said to him, “Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.” Immediately Bartimaeus received his sight. Anyone would look at this and say, “Yeah, sure, what an unlikely ending.” However, I am sure all of us have heard of someone miraculously recovering from a condition that we would consider doom and no chance of triumph. Faith is either staying on course to experience victory or come off and face the agony of defeat. The choice is ours.
For example, blind Bartimaeus was a beggar. He heard that Jesus of Nazareth’s voice and came nearby and cried out and said, “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.” Bystanders and followers were trying to calm Bartimaeus, but he refused and repeated with the same expression. Then Jesus stood still and commanded that the blind man come to Him. Bartimaeus stood up, removed his outer garment, and moved forward. Jesus asked him what does he want? Bartimaeus said his sight. This simple story may sound unlikely, huh?
However, nothing is impossible for God. If we look carefully at this story, the condition of the heart of Bartimaeus, his faith is in active mode in various ways. First, the blind man heard the voice of Jesus and responded. Bartimaeus was calling out in faith, not seeing anything as we know, only thinking about receiving his sight from the Son of God. Second, the crowd tried to get him to be quiet. However, Bartimaeus did not stop but repeated the same thing amongst the people for Jesus to hear. Third, Bartimaeus cast off his outer garment and proceeded to come toward Jesus. Fourth, the Son of God asked Bartimaeus a question, and he firmly responded in public that he would like to receive his sight. The determination, courage, and boldness of Bartimaeus describe the condition of His heart.
When Jesus works in our lives, it is not often immediate. It is often a painful slog through challenges and trials that God uses to get our hearts ready and our attention on Him.
In society today, many people start believing but discontinue. Whether a believer or non-believer, the active faith will aid in our approach, ward off opposing people, continue moving forward, reminding ourselves and others of what we expect to receive. All the ingredients to enhance our faith to bring what we hope for in the end to fruition. Blind Bartimaeus received his sight. We must expect to receive what we hope for by having sightless faith.