Our church family is reading through the Bible together, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. This week, we have been reading in Genesis and John, and I think it is so cool how we can read the same scripture in different seasons of our lives and God shows us something different each time. I admit, I have read ahead this week, but I can't help it! I want to share something that I found interesting in chapter 9 of John. It is the story of Jesus healing the man who was born blind. There are a number of lessons we can learn from this account, but there are a few things I believe God has revealed to me.
First, in verse 3 we see that after the disciples asked Jesus if the man was born blind because of his own sins or those of his parents, He answered "he was born blind so the power of God could be carried out in him". This just reminds me that we are here for Him, not us. We are here to bring glory to Him. We all experience trials, and many times we do not understand why things happen. The difficulties we face and the hard times we go through do not exist to tear us down. These are opportunities that not only bring us closer to God, but also for others to see how God's power is real in our lives. We can look at them as obstacles or opportunities. Please understand that I am not directing this to anyone but myself. There are so many times that I want to throw in the towel and ask why and get mad. But God is showing me that these are the times that He wants to show up and show out in my life. I have to let go and let Him.
The next thing I want to mention comes from verse 39 of chapter 9. Jesus says, "I have come to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind". Wow! Jesus has a way of saying so much with few words. He did come to make the blind see, but I think what He means here is that we must realize we need Him before we can experience Him. If the man didn't know he was blind, how would he know he needed to be healed? Why would we need a Savior if we didn't have a need to be saved? We must face the reality that we are blind until He gives us sight- spiritual sight.
Finally, the people noticed a change in the man after he was healed (v. 8-9) and that gave him an opportunity to tell his story. I have to ask myself this question, "Do people notice something different in me?" Maybe the reason we do not feel we have many opportunities to share our story is because no one sees the difference Christ has made in our lives. I bet this man had a new look about him after he was healed. He could see now, and I imagine the joy of seeing life and the world was evident in his countenance. If we have been saved, we have been given sight. Others should look at us and see a joy that comes from within because we have been healed and redeemed.
Yesterday, at the Boys and Girls Club, a little girl told me she wants to be like Nicki Minaj when she grows up. Now, I admit, I had no idea who this person was until she became a judge on American Idol. I asked myself, what is it about this woman that this little girl finds so intriguing? Forgive me for being judgmental, but I think Nicki Minaj is a few fries short of a happy meal. But, just seeing her on the show, she is larger than life. Unfortunately, these are the people that young children are looking up to because they see something different about them, maybe success or imagined happiness, I'm not sure. But what about this- What if these children looked at us as children of God and they saw God's love and REAL joy that comes from Him and His power being real in our lives? What if they saw us as people who used to be blind but now can see? Do they see those things when they look at us? Or do they see unhappy people living defeated lives? Why would they want that? Obviously, Jesus is the standard and none of us are perfect, but when Jesus has changed us, others should be able to see it and be intrigued. Children need role models who love Jesus. Lost souls need to see God's power working in our lives. They need to know that we used to be blind, but now, only because of Jesus, we can see and we will never be the same. They need to know that even though we have hard times too, our joy is not based on circumstances. Then they need to realize that they too are blind and they need to see. They need a Savior. They need Jesus, not Nicki Minaj. Jesus came to show those who think they see that they are blind. He wants to heal them like He healed me. Oh What A Savior!!!
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