Now I See

John 9:25 “He answered, “Whether He is a sinner I do not know. There is one thing I do know: I was blind, but now I see!”

Do you know of anyone who is impaired? Working in health care, I often come across individuals who have some level of injury, sickness, or disability.

What does it mean to be impaired?

The term itself denotes a diminishment or loss of function or ability, but in respect to what?

Is a blind man diminished comparative to someone who can see perfectly? Are all of the laim unable to function on their own, the deaf unable to communicate, or the blind unable to observe?

From a naturalistic position, some might compare others to what is expected. If you don’t walk, talk, or perform functions the majority of people worldwide can do, you might think of yourself as impaired in ability.

Are the blind limited in longevity of life? We all know that eyesight doesn’t necessarily affect a lifespan nor do most other abilities. Being blind might place a person in danger but the ability to see hasn’t stopped people from being at risk either. I’ve known of those who have lived long full lives even in the midst of their impairment.

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision”

Helen Keller

The ability to see [spiritually] is God given.

1 Corinthians 2:14 “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”

The spiritual senses inherent in mankind are limited by the object of their focus.

The ability to see the things of God is made manifest to believers in Christ because they have been given by the Spirit of God. There is a desire for depth and meaning that I believe everyone yearns for in some way or another, the problem lies in where people seek it out. If someone seeks out a greater understanding of the spiritual through a local medium, they might have an experience that seems otherworldly but it will lead them into darkness. There are all kinds of demonic charlatans who pose as good and noble and yet there is an undercurrent of evil masking as the light. These imposters will tell you what you want to hear so they might gain your allegiance, hoping to entrap you in patterns that keep you satisfied long enough to scratch that spiritual itch yet never to be fulfilled.

The gifts that God gives are good and perfect because they come from Him. The need for spiritual fulfillment is only satisfied by the presence of God who fills the emptiness people hunger for. Yes, the Lord can increase riches, lead people in life, or heal diseases but those are all temporal things. The desire to live in comfort is human nature, but God supplies our needs as we seek Him, we find the greater gifts He has reserved for those who choose to live wisely.

Matthew 7:11 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

When I was in college, I used to frequently go up on a local mountain. I was commuting to school every day and had to find time between classes to study….the mountain was a quiet location where few people resided.

I found a trail just outside of town that I could pack my books up to and at the top of the hill was a bench that overlooked the city below. Nearby was a signpost that described the local mountains which were visible from that position and the quietness and solitude helped me stay focused. I remember looking down on the city below, the cars and people seemed so small and insignificant. I remember thinking to myself, “how can all that mess create so much stress in my life?”

The mountain top perspective helped me realize that my problems weren’t as significant as I had assumed they were. I was often blinded by my circumstances.

Insight of Life

How can we see beyond our senses?

Looking into the book of James may give some insight.

James 3:13-17 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Wisdom and understanding are gained through obedience. The promises of God are meant to guide us into the greatest ideals for peace and satisfaction. When we learn that God is faithful, and that He will never leave us or forsake us, we find strength.

Wisdom can be acquired and still not acted upon. Solomon is the man that seemed to exemplify wisdom, yet he never held anything back from himself. Was that wise? I would guess looking back he realized that it wasn’t wise, and though he grew wiser for it, at the time it was a bad idea. The women in his life promoted idolatry, the people grew self-indulgent and embraced the riches around them, the other nations grew jealous of his riches and eventually attacked Israel. You can have all the wisdom in this world and still live like a fool.

Being honest with who you are helps in growth and maturity. If you never hold yourself to God’s standard because of pride or the fear of losing what you have, you will never grow past your current state. Recognizing the need for change allows change to happen, it allows others in your life, and opens the door to other possibilities that you might have been closed to before.

When you walk in God’s wisdom, you walk in His perfection. When others see evidence of godliness in you, it impacts them, it glorifies Christ, and places you in a position that is honorable.

When you live by Godly wisdom, you bear His fruit. The fruit you bear will show forth the attributes of righteousness and reveal the root from which godliness grows. Jesus plants His people, waters them, and tends to them so that they can bear fruit.

Do you want to live in peace? What we witness in James is the path to do so.

James 3:18 “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Living in Peace

Living in the Peace of God reveals itself in:

* Joy * gladness * self-control * love * patience * kindness * hope * gentleness

Many would trade all that they had to acquire these attributes of life that brings fulfillment.

Aren’t the reasons for seeking out riches, relationships, or respect tied up in one or more of these godly virtues?

We have the knowledge of how to get there…sometimes it comes down to changing your course. When or if you make those changes, you will wonder why you were ever fearful or waited so long.

The path to godly insight starts with allowing the Lord to create this vision in you. The Holy Spirit imparts this ability to see, your responsibility is to submit to Him. A humble and contrite spirit is how you approach the Throne of God, He then begins to do the leading….you simply follow.

Once you learn to keep your eyes on Christ, you’ll find the vision necessary for navigating the challenges that life brings.