Wednesday, September 19, 2012 -- Sight For The Blind

Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!””32 When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!”  Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him. (Matthew 20:30,32-34 NLT)

Just like these blind men, God is well aware that there are dark times in our lives.  God understands dark and troubled times.  God understands empty places.  We experience troubled times or temptation and we don't quite know what to do so we respond with fear, anxiety, and a whole bunch of activities and words that often land us in trouble with ourselves, our friends, or even the law.  God encourages us to remember that it is in those places that He is most ready to act.  God promises to be light where we experience darkness.  God promises to protect us from danger. God promises us peace. 

God says, "I am the Lord, and there is no other. I create the light and make the darkness. (Isaiah 45:6b-7a NLT) Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105 NLT)

So, how are we to respond when we experience life as more than we can handle and situations that just don't seem to change despite our best efforts?  What makes us different as Christians is that we choose to believe that there is hope and there is a solution simply because God is with us.  We look for a solution, do all the things we know to do, and wait in God's care and protection until God's provision shows up.  We refuse to give in to hopelessness and the thought that says nothing works and nothing has changed.    Things are not the same.  Something is different in our lives now.  God is with us to inform us, to strengthen us, to show us alternatives we haven't yet known or tried, and to provide for us in amazing ways.  God is not surprised or overwhelmed by what we are experiencing.  God has more and offers to us more than we need for what we are facing.  Our job is to look for the light and live in the light with God while all the world around us seems dark and chaotic. 

(Adapted from "Light For Me In Dark Times" - Life With God In Recovery) Copyright 2012 Partners in Hope Recovery Society