After delivering a gripping and powerful teaching, the preacher made a call for people to come forward for prayer. The pastor stepped down into the gathered crowd and began praying for people. He passed quickly between the different ones and prayed with ferver.
He came upon a man who asked, “Can you pray for my hearing?”
Without loosing a beat, the pastor stuck his finger in the man’s ear and his other hand on top of his head and prayed up a storm. When he finished, he looked the man in the eye and asked, “How’s your hearing now?”
The man looked back at him and said, “I don’t know… it’s not until next Wednesday!”
All good intent and best meaning is lost when we make assumptions. Assumptions can trip you up.
Jesus gives us a great example of never assumming anything:
As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
Luke 18:35-43
Jesus, the healer. And a blind man calling for mercy… yet was asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Therefore, to avoid being tripped up, do not make assumptions. Success comes from asking questions… the right questions. Got it?