What If

Good Morning! 

Wonderful Wednesdays began again at Helen First Baptist last night.  After a good supper of baked chicken, rice and gravy and green beans, many of the adults gathered for Bible study and prayer.  Our text was from John 9.  In this chapter, John relates the story of a man who was blind from birth.  Jesus spits in the clay, anoints the eyes of the blind man and sends him to the Pool of Siloam to wash.  When the man does what Christ tells him, he receives his sight. But, since this happened on the Sabbath, the religious leaders take offense and act to ostracize the healed man.  Jesus discovers this … and goes to the man who immediately believes in Jesus.

The above is a “Classic Illustrated” version of what occurs.  The passage is much deeper and would take a pretty extensive posting to delve into completely.  The verses that reverberated in my mind in the middle of the night … it happens … are:

9 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

The pastor asked the question “how would your relationship with God be impacted if you suddenly became blind? Would it draw you closer to God or drive you away from God?”  Do not pass these questions off lightly.  Do not give the stock answer of “I would trust God” unless you really know that is the case. 

My initial thought in our prayer meeting last night was that my reaction would be a mixture.  I am sure I would wonder why God would do this to me and be angry … but HOPE that I would not allow that anger to become bitterness that would cause me to move away from God.  It is very hard to know how I would react until faced with the issue.

The thought of the disciples was that the man’s blindness was a result of either his sin or the sin of his parents. Jesus’ response is interesting … this man was born blind for God’s purpose.  What!!! God allowed this man to live in blindness … to be considered less of a person … to have to beg for his livelihood?  Why?  How is this fair? 

Have you ever asked why God when you were faced with life’s challenges?  Have you ever thought that God wasn’t treating you fairly?  I have.  I think it is only human to do so … especially if you are a believer in God.  I don’t think it is wrong to ask why … I do think I need to be willing to accept God’s answer … or even His choice to not answer.

Jesus gives His disciples the reason … “that the works of God might be displayed in him.”  We tend to forget that God has a purpose for all that He creates.  And He creates us.  We are His glory. If God chooses to place a life challenge in us so that He might be glorified, we should rejoice – even in our challenge.  But that is hard to do … I know very well.

I would like to say that I would always rejoice in a life challenge.  The truth is that I don’t … and won’t.  What I will attempt to do is wait on the Lord and ask for understanding. I would hope that I would be drawn closer … I have been thus far … but cannot categorically state so.  What I hope I would do is recognize that God has always been faithful to me … and trust in His love and His grace in all things.

May God walk with you this good day … providing for your every need.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Father, I believe … help me in my unbelief. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for today:  John 9:1-3