Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
John 9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
I am like this man in these verses. Except for one thing. I ask, I hear but then I stop. I normally only listen to what I want to hear or what fits into my schedule. Just recently God told me "You are walking around with mud on your eyes." You see, I ask - hope- trust and follow the 'putting mud on my eyes' part, but I do not follow the 'wash in the pool' part. So then I walk around blind. EXTRA BLIND! Not only can I not see, but I also have mud covering my eyes and any possibility of seeing.
Then I wonder why? "Why must I stumble and fall? Why must I face challenges? Especially when I am following you Lord! I am doing what you asked!" I angrily shout. I become frustrated and disappointed at and with God. "Why?" I ask over and over. "What more do you want? or What I am supposed to do next?"
God so gently reminds me. "Follow me, - Fully. Trust me, Fully. Listen to me, - Fully. Surrender to me - Fully. LET ME LOVE YOU -FULLY!"
I struggle with this daily. Daily I have to remind myself. I have to focus and not become distracted. Not become distracted by this world or my wants. I have to recommit everyday, sometimes over and over again throughout the day. How many times do I act like a child? I throw tantrums. Kicking and screaming, fighting God's loving arms. As a person I know how it feels to have my love or care for someone rejected. As a mother I have experienced my child struggling, making decisions or choices I know will lead to pain or fight my loving arms that are only trying to comfort. Oh how much that can hurt my heart! But the feeling when my child relents. When the sobs calm and my child settles into my hug or when the person you have been loving or caring for receives it, fully accepts your gift. Oh the calm, the peace. How much greater is God's love? We cannot fathom. The same is true for His peace it is indescribable. A peace that passes understanding.
How many times have I been the child? Too many to count. I am the child. I will most likely continue to act this way. I am human, and I am a sinner. But I am HIS child. I am a child of God! There is always a place of rest, a place to be comforted, a lap to climb into. I lose sight sometimes of the way to get there. Sometimes Satan distracts, tempts, hides or makes the way difficult. Sometimes I feel the world hides the way. Sometimes I, myself, am in the way. I make excuses; "I don't have enough time. I don't know the way."
But truly I know the way.
Isaiah 65:24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
Jeremiah 29:12-14 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
This is ALL I need to do. Call. Ask and He is there.
Then I need to Fully Listen and Follow. It is truly amazing how bright it is once I have washed away the mud! As we prepare for the coming of Christ, may we wash all the mud away everyday. May we turn our face FULLY towards Him. May we turn our eyes upon Jesus and be amazed at how bright and beautiful He truly is!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for always welcoming me with open arms no matter how big of a tantrum I throw. Please help me Father to daily wash the mud off my eyes and prepare my heart to accept the love and wonderful gift of your son Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for always welcoming me with open arms no matter how big of a tantrum I throw. Please help me Father to daily wash the mud off my eyes and prepare my heart to accept the love and wonderful gift of your son Jesus.
written by and submitted by Jodie Wilson
