Free

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging.
When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”
Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
                                                                                ~Mark 10:46-52

The word picture painted here is simply amazing.  Ever since hearing Pastor Brian's sermon on this passage in Mark, I have not gotten it out of my mind.  Going into this new year, it seems to have taken up residence in my being in a way only God could bring about.
As PB made a point of it, a sentence overlooked by some, came to life in my heart.
Bartimaeus was blind.  He relied on others to live.  Most likely he owned very little, if anything...but a cloak.  His spread-out-to-collect-money-to-live, keep-him-warm-at-night, cloak.
Enter Jesus.
Bartimaeus tossed his meal ticket aside.
No longer did he need to rely on it for life.
Jesus was here and was calling his name.
Powerful.  Moving.  Convicting.
It makes me think, brings me to admit, and confess I have "a cloak" or two that I need to throw aside so I am free to run to Jesus.
He doesn't need my things.
He needs my heart...my attention...my devotion.
In 2012, I want to throw aside anything that hinders me from running to Jesus.
I want to live free.

I run in the path of your commands, 

for you have set my heart free.

Psalm 119:32