So there was this guy.
He couldn’t see.
And there was debate about what caused his condition.
Then there was this new guy making some big claims.
Then there was some mud.
Then the blind guy washed the mud off.
Nothing else changed.
There was blindness…
and a new guy…
and mud…
and water…
then no more blindness.
So what caused the change?
It was either the new guy, or the mud, or the water.
But everybody washed their eyes off with the same water, both blind and sighted people – it wasn’t the water. And the dirt was everywhere. If the dirt had some miraculous properties people would’ve come from all over to get dirty. Nobody did. It wasn’t the dirt.
So if it wasn’t the dirt…
and it wasn’t the water…
the only other variable that changed…
… it was the new guy.
Now the oppositional guys (the Pharisees) tried to raise doubts about the blind guy. Maybe he wasn’t really blind. But Jerusalem, by today’s standards was a little hamlet. You know small communities. People know people. And I am painfully, recently, aware now, how quickly unsubstantiated accusations and rumor spread. The variable of fraud is dismissed.
Jesus caused the change. (JN 9:1-7)
The darkness I’ve been in…
that I wrote about yesterday on both blogs…
it’s lifted.
Circumstances haven’t changed one bit for the better.
They’re lined up like tall oaks on every horizon.
If anything there are more and taller oaks.
I was only seeing darkness, yet now I see some light.
Everything hasn’t swung all the way to happy cheery bluebirds. To be honest, that would be a little worrisome because the tall oaks are bigger and more numerous. To be utterly gleeful when I can clearly see them – that might be a cause for concern.
How dark was it?
Take the worst loss of your life – the worst one.
Things felt that hopeless, that depressing, that dark.
And now it’s not so dark.
And, hey, circumstances aren’t so good…
So I’m pretty happy with “not so dark”.
“One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.” (JN 9:25)
Between the light and the darkness one variable changed…
the naming of this year “see”…
the very next day things were pitch black.
What caused the change back to light?
I think it was prayer.
But how can I pin that claim down beyond reasonable doubt?
I figured a way.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Before I go over to DiL I have a question (hand raised waving madly) … you say, “To be utterly gleeful when I can clearly see them – that might be a cause for concern.” Why? Why not see the bluebirds AND whistle a happy lilting tune AND see the tall and ever multiplying – ever growing oaks lined up as far as the eye can see threatening to cut out the light? Be happy! Count the oaks – look how many times you have the opportunity to lean on God for help! Glorious! Astounding! See? (pun intended) But I also know you’re already there.
Okay … on to Deep Into Love!
Many Blessings from one of your Students,
Felecia
well, what I think I’m going for there, is to be oblivious to what’s in front of me – of us. It’s kind of like “the better eyes” thing. We don’t ignore the material and only see the spiritual – because we are in the world – but not of it – I think we’re called to see both. I think what I’m going for with that statement is a sense of delusion – looking at apples and oranges – and only seeing oranges – not the same thing as seeing hope amid the trial – but not seeing the trial at all. THAT would be a cause for concern. Make sense? And then there is the difference between “happy” – and the deeper joy that is of God. Can’t explain it much better than I did way back here http://deepintoscripture.com/2010/11/19/its-not-just-joy-its-bigger-than-the-universe-joy/ – and one last thing – you called deep into love “DIL” – that’s what I call it – DIS and DIL – that made me smile – thank you. oh, and one last thing, I don’t have students – just fellow learners ツ
This past year has been the worst of my life….I understand what it is to be in darkness. I am going over now, to your other deep, and I am thankful for your light….very, very thankful
A – you know of course, that this means the worst year of your life has been spent reading me ツ I’ll try not to take it personally ツ seriously though – you know I get it – this darkness of mine that just popped up out of nowhere – has nothing to do with circumstances – yours has to do with circumstances –and I get it. God bless you my friend.
Going over, Craig. Thank you for the reply to Felecia . . .that helped me see better about this. Also loved the intro into this, about the water, the mud and the new guy. Love that new guy. God bless!
Angel A . . .praying that this year is different, that there is much, much more light.
yeah – that new guy – I heart the new guy too!! Strike that – I love him. God bless you Debbie!
“And now it’s not so dark.
And, hey, circumstances aren’t so good…
So I’m pretty happy with “not so dark”.
I’ve had a pretty dark time of it and I too am very happy today that things are not so dark today.
Erin, first of all I apologize for replying to your comments so late – no excuses – I’m just sorry. Second – I’m really sorry for your dark time. I know dark times – I hate that you’ve had one (probably more). And I hope you don’t mind – I just finished a prayer for whatever your darkness is, or was – to remember in the darkness what our Lord has shown you in the light. And I’m glad that you get it – sometimes “not so dark” seems pretty light. Thank you Erin, and God bless and keep you!
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