There is a reason we are given the imagery of armor in preparation for the life before God in Ephesians 6. This imagery is used because our life is a fight. It is a constant fight against the things which keep us from getting to God. Closeness to God is our ultimate good as indicated in Psalm 73, but our life is always full of things which prevent us from that ultimate good of closeness. Those things never cease to present themselves each day. They must be fought and laid aside so we may continue to come closer to God.
This is why Ephesians 6 gives us a whole and complete armor for our daily fight. Every day we are to prayerfully and intentionally put on this armor that we might fight back all those things which prevent us from getting to God.
The life of the follower of Jesus is anything but lazy. The life after Jesus is a fight, and if we fight correctly each day it will only be done with the strength of Jesus Christ found in intentional prayer.
In Matthew 20, Jesus asks some blind men, “What do you want me to do for you?” Why would Jesus ask them this? I mean one, we know that Jesus is all-knowing. He knows what they need. But two, come on, anybody walking by would know what these men need. They’re freaking blind! It is obvious that these men want and need their sight. EVEN I CAN SEE THAT! (see what I did there)
Of course a study and reflection of the passage lets us see Jesus want to be asked. He wants to be desired. We can study forever the reasons Jesus would actually ask what these men want him to do. Jesus did that all the time.
The challenge is trying to see myself in this passage. As a disciple, what would I have done? Would I have seen the need? Yes it is blatant and obvious, but would I have really seen the need? I mean really?
I am a Christian who desires to serve, to have compassion and serve, but will I notice the needs around me? I mean they are blatant…just as blatant as two blind men, but I don’t serve the needs around me. I don’t even serve the blatant needs. Should I be asking, “What is it you want me to do for you?” I don’t know. I mean there are blatant obvious needs around me, but OBVIOUSLY I don’t see them.
Is it that I do not really see them? I do not have my eyes and ears open to actually see those needs around me. I have to be attentive to the needs around me. They are not always so blatant as a blind man asking for sight (lucky Jesus). Sometimes it is nearly a need for respect and compassion…someone to listen…heck…someone to smile. Am I really so clueless to miss an opportunity to smile for someone who may really need it? Probably!
Now if I miss THAT, how many other chances will I miss? I need to be more attentive. After being attentive I have to be willing to be interrupted. What is the point in being attentive to people’s needs around me if I’m not willing to STOP!
I have to open my eyes, my ears, my heart to see and notice the obvious needs around me, and then free myself to be interrupted and STOPPED for those needs around me.
PC Walker 