The road out of Jericho was always well-traveled, but Bartimaeus could sense something different in the air. Just as the angle of the hot sun on the back of his neck told him the time of day, the buzz of the crowd, the whispered excitement, and the press of bodies told him the truth that his ruined eyes could not — something was stirring.
Slowly, he pieced together the scene: a Healer, a Miracle Worker named Jesus was heading his way, and the word on the street . . .? This Teacher just might be the promised Messiah.
A seasoned beggar, Bartimaeus waited until just the right moment and then poured every possible ounce of drama into his anguished plea:
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” he howled.
“Pipe down, Bartimaeus,” hissed the embarrassed townspeople, but the blind beggar called out all the louder.
In this encounter of a lifetime, Bartimaeus put all that he knew about Jesus into his heart’s cry, for he had a huge and impossible dream. Bartimaeus wanted to see, and he boldly broadcast his deep and urgent need to the only One in the universe who could help him.
Saying our dreams out loud can be intimidating — even frightening.
It feels vulnerable.
Exposed.
Whether it’s a career goal, a longing for intimacy, a desire for a child, or an avenue of service to God that won’t stop calling our name, it’s easy to allow the sheer size of the dream to muzzle our cry for help and to overwhelm us with fear.
Courage and Strength from an Upholding God
As a young woman, I believed God was calling me to teach the Bible, so I volunteered for a summer ministry that landed me in front of a crowd of rowdy kids with nothing in my trembling hands but my Bible and a few flash cards. Thinking that preparation — knowing my material inside out – would chase away the terror, I studied hard with a pounding heart.
One evening, my team leader flipped the pages of my Bible away from the story of blind Bartimaeus and into the book of Isaiah, handing me a torch of Truth that re-ignites even today whenever I sit in a circle of women with open Bibles:
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
That young woman who hid behind her long hair and struggled to make eye contact with the world still sometimes finds her way back into my head. When I’m standing at a microphone, preparing to click on “publish,” or participating in a stressful conversation, I’m tempted to be still, to shut down, and to believe the lie that my words don’t matter — that I am, somehow, unqualified.
When fear threatens to extract all the air from my dreams, I’m thankful for the courage and strength that come from an upholding God. Mustering every fragment of truth that I can remember about Him, I release my dream to His care, and I hear the Spirit gently whispering:
“Would you rather give in to the fear and miss this opportunity?
Have you forgotten that I am the God who says, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’”
In the light of this blazing truth, may we answer God’s omnipotence with a trust that cries out, fearless.
By grace, may we let our fear drive us to the One who casts out all fear.
Holding you in the light,
Whether it’s a career goal, a desire for a child, or an avenue of service to God, it’s easy to allow the sheer size of the dream to overwhelm us with fear. By grace, may we let our fear drive us to the One who casts out all fear.
Tweet
Free Encouragement in Your Inbox
On the third Thursday of every month, I send a newsletter with biblical encouragement straight to my subscribers’ email inboxes. Frequently, I share free resources, and the newsletter is where everything lands first. I’m committed to the truth that women can become confident followers of God and students of his Word, and I want to help you along that path.
To add this free resource to your pursuit of biblical literacy, simply CLICK HERE. There, on Substack’s website, you’ll find a prompt that looks just like this image for Living Our Days with Michele Morin. Over on that site, simply enter your email and then click on the purple “SUBSCRIBE” button.
You’ll receive a welcome letter to confirm your subscription and monthly encouragement in your email inbox.
Looking for Challenging Devotional Reading that Encourages You to Seek Intimacy with God Every Day?
As you know, I’m committed to the truth that women can become confident followers of God and students of his Word, and it’s my goal to help you along that path. At Living Our Days, I provide biblical content and resources to encourage biblical literacy and faithful living, and now I’m sharing devotional content on the YouVersion app. Visit my profile page to get free access to the reading plans!
I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees. If you should decide to purchase any of the books or products I’ve shared, simply click on the image, and you’ll be taken directly to the seller. If you decide to buy, I’ll receive a few pennies at no extra cost to you.
Living Our Days 
There were some opportunities that had me crying in the bathroom before coming out to do what I was there to do. I’m glad I yielded to the Lord and let Him push me out of my comfort zone, though it was hard at the time. Actually, it was hardest beforehand–usually once I got started, I was fine, and afterward I was glad. I’ve wished I could turn off the “nerves,” but I think they keep me dependent on God–so ultimately they are a good thing.
LikeLike
Hardest beforehand! Yes, and ultimately a dependence builder! My experience exactly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this, Michele. In my current season of praying for what’s next while trying to focus on the next step, inadequacy rears its ugly head when I question how and when the door I need to go through is going to open. It’s so easy to compare, isn’t it? I have to keep going back to what I believe God has asked me to do, which is to put my offering on the altar and trust Him to bring the fire. Fear comes in when I start wondering if and when that will happen, but Isaiah 41:10 helps me get my focus back where it needs to be.
LikeLike
Wow, do I ever hear you on this topic, Lois. There’s nothing like wondering what’s next to start the nervous questions flowing!
LikeLike
Oh boy–I couldn’t begin to count the number of times I’ve felt shaky, unsure, and vulnerable to criticism! Your team leader was so wise to present you with a scriptural Torch of Truth to ignite your trust. Isaiah 41:10 is one of the best!
LikeLike
I’ve always been grateful for that, and the courage that comes with certainty of God’s leading is just the best foundation for ministry.
LikeLike
You are definitely qualified, dear friend! You are a teacher who not only walks out her faith but shares in a way that touches me every time. Thank you for this reflection today.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your reassuring encouragement! I think we all carry an unattainable image in our minds, a composite of what a “real” teacher, a “real” writer, a “real” saint might look and act like. It’s a process of unlearning and relearning that we have been equipped and are being enabled by our wise heavenly Father for the assignments he has designated as ours.
LikeLike
[…] Driven by Fear to the God Who Casts Out Fear. “Whether it’s a career goal, a desire for a child, or an avenue of service to God, it’s easy to allow the sheer size of the dream to overwhelm us with fear. By grace, may we let our fear drive us to the One who casts out all fear.” […]
LikeLike
Thank you for this wonderful post, Michele! I love the story of Bartimaeus but I had not looked at it in such a personal way. Your take on it is so encouraging. I really appreciate you sharing this with the Hearth and Soul Community!
LikeLike
Thanks so much for reading and for your encouraging response! One of my goals when I read the Bible is to really SEE the characters. I think we imagine them as cardboard cutouts, when they were actually full of emotions and struggles that were just as real to them as the ones I’m facing today. It’s a gift when readers join me in that process!
LikeLike