I spoke at a women’s retreat this past weekend. It was a wonderful group of beautiful women gathering to hear from their Father. We worshipped, ate and crafted together and, of course, circled up around the word of God.

Friday evening I spoke on preparing ourselves for a move of God. It is much like learning to participate in a sport. In order to be effective in a sport, you have to learn how to prepare yourself to catch the ball, block the goal, tackle the runner, spike the ball or return the volley. The first element in preparing yourself is to set your intention.

Setting your intention is simply answering the question: why are you here? What do you want from this time spent together? Read the scripture below and then answer Jesus’ question.

Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

Mark 10:46-52

Perhaps you are in a desperate place right now, crying out for Jesus to come close to you. Notice how the crowd responded to Bartimaeus – they told him to be quiet. In other words, sit down and shut up! Jesus doesn’t have time for you right now.

I bet Bartimaues often felt like he was in the way, that others didn’t have time for him. But notice what Jesus did when he heard his cry for help. “When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, ‘Tell him to come here’.”

I believe Jesus is stopping and inviting you to come close today. As he looks intently into your eyes, he is asking, “What do you want me to do for you?”

I believe there is something really important about verbalizing what we need from Jesus. It helps bring clarity and also prepares us for the move of God. When we see him “restore our sight,” we know it is Jesus that touched us.

Take heart, friend, he’s calling you to come to him! What do you want him to do for you?