They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him (Mark 8:22).

We are completely spoiled with our on-demand lives, aren’t we? There’s so much we’ve become accustomed to getting at the flip of a switch or the tap of an app. Don’t get me wrong: I am forever grateful for the existence of on-demand running water and electricity in my home, and I utilize the convenience of Amazon Prime delivery often!

I’ve also got these wonderful machines that will wash and dry my clothes for me, but none of that will happen if I don’t bring the dirty clothes to the laundry room, load the machines, and turn them on. The same goes for my stove, dishwasher, and even my favorite robot vacuum, Jeeves: without my active participation the appliances won’t do the jobs they were designed to do.

There’s not an app on our phones that will download miracles or a switch that when flipped delivers answers to prayer. We’re meant to work in partnership with the Spirit in Living Supernaturally: we’re invited to participate, to be personally engaged with God, but never in charge or in control.

But what if we can’t, for whatever reason, be an active participant?

As I read the story of the blind man being healed in Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-25), I kept coming back to verse 22. The blind man’s eyes obviously didn’t work, but presumably the rest of his body did. Everyone in the area knew about Jesus and the miracles he was performing. Why didn’t this guy at least do whatever he could to get himself to where Jesus was, and why wasn’t he the one begging for the miracle?

We all go through times where we’re spiritually hurting and in need of healing or a miracle, but we can’t seem to make it to Jesus on our own. Eternal thanks to the friends and fellow Christians who get us there by way of encouragement and prayers, whether we realize we need the help or not! We may lack the faith that Jesus would *want* to help us or heal us or deliver the miracle, and in those moments may He deal with us ever so kindly and patiently as he did the blind man in this passage.

Are there people in our world whom you see struggling to “get” themselves to Jesus? How might the Spirit invite you to play a role in getting them there? If you are the one who needs help, know that I’m praying for you, and I encourage you to take one action step today: share with a pastor/small group leader/friend how they can help get you to Jesus.