Aren’t we all a little blind? Don’t we all need Jesus to open our eyes?
Our healing story today is of a blind man. On the first attempt he sees something, but Jesus wasn’t satisfied. He took a second opportunity to help the man really see.
How many attempts would be needed for us? How has the world blinded us to the truth?
I’ve just spent the last several days in the home of a beautiful woman. She was walking through some pretty horrific things as the love of her life had just suffered a stroke. While that is horrible in and of itself, the fact that she doesn’t know Jesus is even more devastating. How many more people are there in the world struggling and suffering today, alone. Without the hope Jesus gives us?
They are not alone, in the sense of the word, as there are plenty of doctors and nurses, friends and family, as well as acquaintances and passers by to keep them company. But I can’t imagine not having Jesus in the midst of my trial. True peace exists in the knowledge that God is control and that life is not over when we take our final breath.
I’ve really struggled these past several days. God has put me in this place. Why? When believers face life and death situations, it’s a little easier because we are surrounded by other believers to lift us up and encourage us, remind us that God is love. If you’ve been following this blog for any time, you’ve heard my prayer to be used by God to share his love with those who are blind to him. He has answered my prayer.
Here in our story today, the blind man brought by friends for healing. The first attempt didn’t work, entirely. I’m still not sure how the blind man knew what trees looked like. Perhaps he’d not been blind from birth. That aside, it took Jesus several attempts to break through the walls the man had put up that kept him from seeing the truth.
Our trip is now over, and I know I didn’t break through this woman’s walls of unbelief. I do pray that God used my feeble attempt as the first attack on her blindness and that God will work with that. She will forever leave a mark on my heart. I wonder if Jesus felt marked by each person he was able to help?
Let’s pray. Father God I thank you for the people you bring in to my life every day. Continue to use me as your light in this troubled world. Help me to reconcile with the frustration I feel when my light doesn’t ignite the heart of an unbeliever. Bless my words and my actions. Heal my heart from feeling discouraged. Bring miraculous healing to those you desire. I pray for the souls of those who do not know you yet. As I have prayed before, use me, fill me with your Spirit, and lead me in your ways. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
