Written by Jennifer Morrow

 

Written by Vivian Nelson

What is it about wanting something and wanting something more? Very few would disagree there is more of something to be discovered, to be embraced, to be enjoyed, but what is it? Many cannot answer the question because the “something” and the “more” is not fully understood or clearly recognized in the context of today’s fast- paced, technology-driven society in which we live. So what is “something” and what is “more”?  

 

“Something” is unspecified, undetermined, unknown, not exact; while “more” is a greater quantity, amount, measure or number. Something more then falls within the unlimited realm of possibilities, but, only you can decide what it is. No one else can tell you what your “something more” is. In Scripture, there is a story of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-51). It is an excellent example of a person wanting and finding “something more”.

Bartimaeus was blind and lived in a society where blindness was considered a curse from God. Because physical labor was the only means by which to earn a living during that time, his blindness prohibited him from being able to care for himself. Not only was he unable to find employment, he was also ostracized and forced to beg as a result. Bartimaeus was a hopeless beggar, a menace to society, depending on others for his livelihood…but then Jesus came to town.

 

Hearing that Jesus was passing by, Bartimaeus, sitting along the dusty road with other beggars, began to cry out for mercy. His cry was not a weak whimper. He had evaluated the condition he was in and knew it could be better. So he loudly cried for mercy so much that the crowd sternly told him to be quiet. I suspect it was more like today’s “SHUT UP!” But, he yelled all the more for mercy. Bartimaeus wanted something more than a life of total dependence on others while being shunned in the process. He was beyond caring what others thought and ignored all the scornful rebukes from individuals around him. He was not concerned with “likes.” Jesus heard him, stopped and said, “Call him here.”

 

When Jesus showed concern, some around Bartimaeus showed support and said, “take courage, stand up, He is calling for you.” Bartimaeus did not hesitate, but threw off his cloak, and answered the question Jesus asked of him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “I want to regain my sight.” By faith, his sight was immediately restored. Bartimaeus’ circumstance changed in an instant. With his sight restored, employment was now certain. The days he would sit begging was not an unknown number. Those days were over. As those around him recognized he was no longer blind, his days of ostracism were numbered and soon to be a thing of the past. The story doesn’t end there. Scripture says, after he had been made well, Bartimaeus began following Jesus down the road. His “something more” not only provided a new way of living, but a changed life.

 

So what can we learn from Bartimaeus? He fully recognized his condition and took advantage of the moment. He asked for help and was not bothered by or concerned with pubic opinion. He trusted the support and encouragement given by others. He ran after the opportunity when it was presented and discarded the very thing that would hinder his progress. He readily answered the question asked of him without hesitation. He did not doubt what he believed could be done for him. He left the life he had known and lived and went in a different direction. There is something more…

 

Vivian Nelson is married and resides in Birmingham, Alabama.  She is a follower and believer of Jesus Christ and is a retired Integrated Steel Professional who enjoys all needle work (sewing, knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch); and is an avid reader.  Vivian has traveled 40 contiguous states; six of seven continents and over 100 cities and countries. She is a member of Church of the Highlands, and an affiliate of Alabama Civic Chorale.

Written by Nicole Collier

John 14:27

”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

In the fall of 2011, I unexpectedly lost my job due to the company closing the office, and I was 13 weeks pregnant. I fell into a depression that winter. It took everything I had to crawl out of bed.

That following spring was beautiful. I remember the sun was almost always shining without a cloud in the sky. I was beginning to feel rejuvenated, well, as much as I could in the second and third trimesters of my pregnancy. Then, in April of 2012 my daddy became ill. I lost my daddy to a stroke. This was the worst stroke the neurosurgeon of 20 years had ever seen. I was eight months pregnant. It caught my brother and me off guard. Disbelief was an understatement.

Here is where I can begin to pinpoint the beginning of my need to control every scenario in my life through playing it out in my mind. During the time of his hospitalization, and the months following, I had an unbelievable peace that I knew came only from God. However, in the years that followed, that peace started to unravel little by little until it became anxiety.

That was now seven years ago this April, and I decided at the beginning of this year I would find my “happy” again. How do you find your “happy” when fear and control has taken over? Friend, I wish there was an easy, simple fix for each of us, but there isn’t. God created each of us so incredibly beautiful and different that what works for one, may not work for the next. But I can tell you this is what has helped me begin to conquer it.

1. I try not to get out of bed each day before I am able to write scripture verses for the day down in my journal, and read a devotion or two. This helps ground my spirit for the day, and begin each day fresh in Jesus.
2. I finally spoke it out loud to someone- someone other than my pets. I confided in my best friend, who happens to be my loving husband, and can I tell you how wonderful it felt just to get it off my chest? I brought it to light. It can no longer stay in the darkness where the devil can use it.
3. I remind myself, sometimes multiple times a day, that I am not in control. When you remember you are not in control, it will help you live life as God intended, with Him being the one in control.

While this process is in the beginning stages, I can tell you that joy is beginning to fill my life. I am able to enjoy the moment I am in, and not worry about when the “other shoe will drop.”

My prayer for you, if you happen to find yourself in the same spot, is that you begin the journey of finding your joy and “happy” again. It is closer than we realize. Jesus is always closer than we realize.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicole Collier grew up in Montgomery, AL. She now lives in Shelby County with her husband, Matthew, and 2 boys, Ethan and Russell. She is a lover of all things creative, including photography and music. She and her family are involved with The Just People Project non-profit ministry serving the homeless throughout the city of Birmingham.