Last weekend the Spring Home Show was going on at the Wilmington Convention Center. Since we are in the midst of major remodeling at our house, ENan and I thought we ought to go and see what they had to offer. We rounded up another curious couple and ventured into the main ballroom where we encountered pretty much what we expected - sunroom additions, hot tubs, outdoor lighting, kitchen remodeling specialists and outdoor landscape designers.
What caught my eye, however, was the van parked on the upper level of the parking deck. It is not often you see a warning plastered on a bumper sticker that reads, “Caution: Blind woman driving.” On second look, I realized it was a play on words with a window treatment business, which I thought was pretty clever.
The gospel of John tells us Jesus encountered a blind man while walking through town. The disciples wanted to know, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2) Jesus, quickly dispelled the bad theology. “You’re asking the wrong question,” Jesus replied. “There is no such cause-effect here.” Jesus continued, “Look instead for what God can do.” (John 9:3) Jesus spit on the ground, made some mud and put it on the man’s eyes (Ugh!) When the man washed off the mud, he could see. (Wow!)
Folks in town couldn’t believe their eyes. Some thought the guy with 20/20 vision was an imposter, only pretending to be the blind guy. A group of Pharisees wanted to know how this happened. They challenged the man’s testimony that Jesus healed him. They called Jesus a charlatan and a sinner. Their preconceived notions of God prevented them from seeing the truth standing in front of them. “The Kingdom of God is near.” Jesus said, “It is right in front of you.” (Luke 17:21)
There are times when our limited ideas of God prevent us from seeing God’s hand at work. A caring neighbor, a thoughtful note, a sincere prayer, a skilled surgeon, a trusted counselor - all can be evidence that God is near. But only if we have eyes to see.
Jesus said, “I have come into the world so that the blind will see.” (John 9: 39) Above all else, God wants us to see His glory.
-Dr. Jim Baldwin
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