Everything about this year has shifted how we see things. Work looks different so therefore, I see my coworkers in a different light. Everyday errands look different so therefore, I look at those working in grocery stores and delivering goods as essential workers. Friends and family have become a lifeline, so I view our communication as necessary instead of optional.
The circumstances of the year seem as if life has put on readers or contact lenses. We are no longer walking around in a blurred state, blind to the injustices of this world. No one can un-see what has happened this year.
The opening of our eyes can be a good thing. God wants us to see Him and our lives with a fresh perspective. When we open our spiritual and physical eyes, we see the character of God and make room for Him to operate in our lives. John chapter 9 shares about how He does just that.
The beginning of the chapter speaks of a man being blind from birth. The disciples asked Jesus who sinned in the man’s life since he was born without sight. They assumed sin is the primary cause of any suffering of mankind. But Jesus answered in verse 3 saying, “But it was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
In other words, our current state is not always a direct result of our previous actions. Your current situation may not be because of what happened earlier this year or what you didn’t do. It could be about what God wants to do and accomplish in your life. The challenge or unfavorable circumstance you are dealing with may simply be a means for Him to get the glory and open your eyes.
Chapter 9 continues when Jesus spit on the ground to make clay from the dirt and spit. He then applied the clay to the blind man’s eyes before telling him to go wash in the pool of Siloam.
How unexpected! Jesus healed plenty of people before this moment and the Bible doesn’t mention him doing anything like this before. I imagine neither the man nor the disciples expected Jesus to spit, put clay on his eyes then tell him to wash in a pool.
This proves that you can’t put Jesus in a box. Whatever you’re needing this year, let go of an expectation around how it should get done. In no way is God obligated to perform miracles in one particular way. It may be unusual. It may look like nothing you have ever been seen before. It may also surprise and shock everyone who witnesses it.
No one can predict or assume how God will manifest Himself in our lives. His unconventional way of doing things keeps us from relying on the method to be the answer and instead, puts our hope in Him, the true Answer. That’s actually a relief. That means God is going to provide a tailored-made blessing just for you!
It’s important to note that the scripture doesn’t say that the man asked to receive his sight. He actually didn’t say anything to Jesus until after he received sight. Jesus did it willingly and for God’s glory. The man received his heart’s desire in a way that he wasn’t expecting, and the unexpected ensured God would get the glory and not anyone else.
There was some action needed by the blind man. In order to provide the man with sight, Jesus required him to follow His instructions- go wash in the pool. He required obedience. If the man had been too caught up in the fact that he had spit and dirt on his eyes instead of focused on the direction God had given him, he may have forfeited his miracle. The chapter doesn’t say anything about the man wasting time to ask why he had to go wash. It also doesn’t say he asked questions to understand why he was born without sight. He just did what Jesus told him to do. And in doing so, his physical eyes and his spiritual eyes were opened.
When we gain spiritual sight, we can see God moving beyond our current circumstances. It’s not about why it happened or how. It’s about giving God glory and sharing His goodness with others.
What has God opened up your eyes to this year? How can you look at things differently and shift your perspective so you can see Him work? What is He asking you to do? What does obedience look like in your situation?
As we navigate the rest of 2020, let’s look forward to letting God operate unexpectedly. Take him out of the box you’ve put Him in and watch Him work, spiritually and physically. Be obedient to His word then look for amazing things to take place as we wait for Him to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we expected.
Things may not always go as planned and you may never know why certain things happened. Everything that happens to us, just like the blind man, is for our good and His glory.
Heavenly Father, thank you for spiritual and physical sight. Open our eyes so we can see you move like never before. Your word says we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Lord, let all the challenges of this year work to our good so you can receive all the glory, praise, and honor in our lives. Amen.
