Organizing the Inside – Day 227 Take Time To Ask

April 17, 2012 at 5:00 pm · Filed under Encouragement, Inspiration, Leadership, Love, Relationship, Wisdom, Women's Ministry and tagged: Christianity, Love of God, Religion and Spirituality, Service

29As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”  31The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 32Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 33“Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” 34Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
Matthew 20:29-34 (NLT)

I enjoy reading about the boldness and determination of the two blind men who paid no attention to the crowd telling them to be quiet. Actually they shouted all the louder, as they called out to the Lord for help. Jesus responded by asking them a question. Jesus knew exactly what they wanted. He also knew what they needed, yet He took time to ask them, “What do you want me to do for you?”  He’d just taught the disciples about service. (Matthew 20:20-28) The lesson continued with His example. He could have simply given the blind men what He knew they needed most, but instead He took the time to ask them about what they wanted.

Service is about giving people what they want.
Once we do, they will follow long enough to also discover what they need. Often I think we assume we know what someone needs and instead of taking the time to first find out what they want, we often just offer them what we think they ought to have. I find it interesting that many Christians seem so busy with their own agendas, that they don’t take time out to ask those they serve, “What do you want from me?” There are leaders who will tell you without blinking, “I already know what you need, and don’t have time to worry about what it is you think you want; so sit here while I tell you what you need to do.” They sometimes forget that they’re not the only ones with a special direct line to God. What arrogance is displayed by some who are supposed to be servants.

It wasn’t until the two blind men got what they wanted that they followed Jesus.
So much could be said about this last verse. Successful business leaders know that customer loyalty is created within a relationship of trust. When those you serve realize that you can and will give them what they want, then they trust you, and know that you care. Caring is what creates true loyalty in business and life. We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (KJV) A strong bond is established when a leader is humble enough to first find out what they can do for the people they serve. It’s important not to assume we know what someone else needs. Show how much you care by taking the time to ask the simple question, “What do you want me to do for you?”

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