How's The Vision?

Who are the truly handicapped? Now, please don’t understand me to be attempting to downplay the struggles of those with either mental or physical handicaps. Those struggles and those limitations are real and the needs must be addressed. But as I have observed many with various sorts of handicaps over the years I have often been impressed with what these folks are capable of doing in spite of their limitations. And at the same time I have noted how others who seem to have full use of their body and mind are the ones who do the most whining and complaining about how hard things are for them.

In August of 1959, during what was one of New York City’s hottest days, the city experienced a power failure. No air conditioners, no fans or any other electrical equipment in the hundreds of apartments and offices could function. The hardest hit were the people working on the upper floors of many buildings. These people were stranded in pitch darkness with no functioning elevators. However, in one of these buildings an easy solution to the problem was implemented. For in this building, in the same darkness as all the others, was the guild for the Jewish Blind. The 200 blind workers, since they were familiar with every inch of the building by touch, led the 70 helpless sighted workers down the steps and out of the building onto Broadway.

I think about the blind who called out to Jesus in the belief that he had the power to heal them. And then I think of those who thought they could see it all so clearly, yet they refused to acknowledge Jesus for Who He was. I had two very good friends in college who were both blind. They helped me realize things they were capable of seeing (with other senses) that I missed.

“(39) Jesus said, ‘For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.’ (40) Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, ‘ARE WE ALSO BLIND?’ (41) Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but NOW THAT YOU SAY, ‘WE SEE,’ YOUR GUILT REMAINS.’” ( John 9:39-41 ESV)

Do we see only what we want to see? The worst blindness is that which is self-imposed. May we LOOK TO GOD FOR CLARITY to our vision that we may see as we ought.

Have a great day WITH EYES OPEN TO WHAT GOD DESIRES US TO SEE!
Carl
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[This focus was originally sent 10/23/1998, (Edited some and the passage has been changed to ESV)]

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