God's in the Details

 

God's in the Details

by Robert L. Stephens from Mature Living Magazine

from Lifeway

 

The blind man said,

'I want to see!'

(Mark 10:51)

 

Details matter. I learned that lesson early in life. At Christmas, I did not ask for just any cap gun, but specified a Fanner 50 to keep me out of Boot Hill. My sister's request for Tiny Tears rather than Betsy Wetsy made her pretend motherhood far less demanding. This need for exactness follows us throughout our lives, and we respond accordingly.

  We don't go to Krispy Kreme and ask just for a donut or to Starbucks and just ask for coffee. Without prompting, we meticulously furnish specifics to ensure we get exactly what we want. The grandest of plans, personal or professional, are inevitably executed detail by detail. The same can be said of our lives. WHY, then do we revert to generalities when talking to God?

   Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted of him. The reply was specific. "I want to see!"  He didn't ask just to be healed. Like most of us, he likely had several maladies. The one he wanted taken away was blindness. And so, with neither vagueness nor hesitation, he declared his innermost desire.

   God expects no less of us. And yet we often pray in ambiguous terms. Why? Could it be that as we become acutely aware of our humanity and brokenness, we feel unworthy of what God has to offer?

   The author of Hebrews assuages any such concerns. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses....Let us then approach the throne of grace with boldness" (Heb. 4:15-16).

   When going to God with praises, intercessions, and petitions, omit not a single point. With the faith of Bartemaeus and the confidence of beloved children, be specific. Dot every i and cross every t.

   Remember, God is in the details. 

 

Footnote from MJ... Boldness, how often do we pray for boldness?

  Boldness to let people know we are Christians

  Boldness to share the gospel

  Boldness to do the right thing no matter what..

  Boldness to release compassion..

  Boldness to ................. "whatever" you fill in the blank.