See Like Jesus
Ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the demands of life? Mr. Ben Bordy, a Middle School History Teacher at CCA, reflects on his childhood baseball career and the story of “Blind Bartimaeus” from Mark 10 to reveal how keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus can help you navigate challenges, gain perspective, and focus on what truly matters.
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Growing up playing baseball, I would always laugh to myself when my coaches would yell that classic phrase, “Keep your eye on the ball!”
Have you ever heard that phrase? For some weird reason, as a little kid, I would always imagine in my silly head someone actually taking the ball and placing it to their eye and saying “Am I doing it right?”
Obviously, we know that the phrase “Keep your eye on the ball” is metaphorical, not literal.
In Mark 10 verses 46-52, we are introduced to a man named Bartimaeus, who is blind. However, that does not stop him from “seeing” and recognizing Jesus. Bartimaeus realized and acknowledged who Jesus really was when he first yelled out “Have mercy on me.”
He could have shouted, “Hey Jesus, heal me of my blindness.” Yet, Bartimaeus understood the reality that Jesus was the Son of God, and he was a sinful man in the presence of God. He needed to be cleansed and forgiven.
But that's not where the story ends. Jesus asked the blind man, after calling him to himself, “What do you want me to do for you?” Stop and think about that for a second . . . Do you think Jesus didn't know what the blind man wanted? Have you ever asked a question and the moment you finished your sentence you realized you already knew the answer?
Jesus, of course, knew the answer to that question, but he wanted Bartimaeus to vocalize his need for vision. Graciously, the Lord responded with “your faith has healed you!”
When my baseball coach told me to “Keep my eye on the ball,” his goal was for me to focus and to keep my eyes on what mattered. In your life, what are you keeping your eyes on? Where is your focus?
We serve a God that gave sight to the blind man because he looked to Jesus in faith. I want to encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus. Look to Him in faith. Only He can give you new eyes and clear vision to see the way God sees. “Keep your eye on the ball;” see what matters, and see like Jesus!
Ben Bordy is entering his sixth year as a Middle School history teacher. He is married to Lauren Bordy, his best friend. In his spare time, he loves to coach Middle School sports like football and baseball, while also rooting for his favorite South Florida sports teams. He loves working at CCA because it allows him to disciple students in the classroom, on athletic fields, and in their personal walks with the Lord.
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