As children we have no problem allowing our imaginations to soar upward like a kite ascending on a windy day.
We declare things like, “I want to be a fireman” or “I want to be a ballerina”.
In my own case, I envisioned a mile long driveway which was to be funded by inking a lucrative baseball contract.
Our imaginations are meant to soar – without limits I might add.
As adults, the day-to-day cares of our lives slowly take over, the walls press in a bit, and the sun, rain, and wind act to minimize the dreams of our youth. Our once active imaginations are either dwarfed or sadly enough, are obliterated.
I’d like to invite you to allow your imagination to once again have permission to take root and bloom, if only for a few moments.
Imagine a well trusted friend has invited you to have coffee with him at your favorite cafe. Coffee shops are meant to enjoy and connect people.
This friend has traveled many miles with you through the course of your life journey. He has walked with you no matter the circumstances, through thick and through thin.
Over the years, he has openly listened to your cares and concerns, never judging you. His approach always has your best interest at heart. He is as solid as a rock and above all, can be trusted.
You arrive at the cafe a few minutes prior to the designated meeting time. The smell of fresh baked pastries and the aroma of coffee surround you, making you grateful for the sense of smell.
You find a table tucked away in the corner of the coffee shop, which lends itself to a more intimate and private setting where conversation can take place without as many eavesdroppers.
Your friend arrives and he finds you eagerly awaiting your connection. He greets you warmly and is seated.
Moments later the barista approaches, ready to take your order. Today is a day where the calorie count is not important. It’s time to connect with your friend and to splurge on the little things in life, namely some java and some goodies.
The focus is hanging out with your friend and allowing the conversation to flow as you do have some things on your mind you wish to talk to him about.
You spend a few minutes in catch-up-with-each-other mode, your order arrives, your sense of smell is heightened, and you are ready to enjoy the experience.
The ice has been broken. You begin to initiate the conversation and slowly place some of the issues on your mind before your friend’s compassionate heart.
As he sips his coffee, his eyes are connected to yours in such a manner as if he is peering through a window into your soul. He says nothing, allowing you to fully express yourself. He is patient, kind, and all ears.
You continue to extract the things on your mind, like precious nuggets, so as to paint a complete picture of what you might be experiencing at this milepost on your journey.
As you finish talking, you relax while inhaling the aroma of the delicious cinnamon bun you ordered, and await your friend’s response.
You are fully aware your friend always asks pointed, get-to-the heart-of-it, questions. You also know he is about to ask one of you.
He confirms if you are finished, he stretches backwards with his hands wrapped around his neck, and his body language tells you he fully understands.
In the most inviting manner possible, your friend looks you in the eye and asks:
“What do you want me to do for you?”
Knowing your friend for as long as you have, you fully comprehend he asks the question in such a way as to let you know limits are not to be placed on your answer. The proverbial sky is the limit.
He repeats, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The question is highly personal and intimate.
For me, the above would-be conversation became alive and very real.
Although I have allowed for some creative license, the friend in this case is Jesus. The other party to the conversation is me.
Several weeks ago I came across a scriptural account which left me pondering multiple times the heart of the question.
Jesus came across two blind men sitting beside the road. When they learned Jesus was coming their way they began to shout, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
The nearby crowd essentially told the blind men to shut up, stop being an annoyance, and let Jesus alone.
The blind men were not to be denied and shouted their plea all the louder.
“When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Matthew 20:32 – NLT)
They simply replied, “We want to see!”
Short and to the point.
I have thought about the question and the response of the blind men over and over.
I have not had coffee with Jesus at a cafe (although that would be cool!) for He lives inside of me and has unfettered access to pose the question to me, cafe or not.
I know the answer to his question is not subject to any limitations. I personally can think of several legitimate responses which are front of mind in my life.
I certainly can ask Him for a complete recovery in my health. Important, but right now not at the top of the list.
I recently posted about some uncertainties in our life. They too are a priority; for now this too can take a back seat at this time.
The question He is asking of me remains,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
my priority response is for the complete healing of my youngest daughter, Brittany, who is currently facing a health challenge. She has been greatly on my mind and I fully trust her to His care. I am asking Him to intervene in her situation because I am powerless (aside from praying) to do so.
Unless your life is perfect and you have no concerns about anything, my educated guess is there are a any number of real life issues that might be circling your wagon and leaving you with questions of your own which need an answer.
If so, you came to the right place.
If Jesus met you for coffee, how might you respond if you knew He wanted to become the answer to the very personal and intimate question He is asking of you?
“What do you want me to do for you?”
I encourage you to ponder the question and how you would respond. He is no respecter of persons. What He did for two blind men, what I am trusting Him to do for me, He can also do for you.