Tuesday the 3rd

John 9: ¹As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. ²His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" ³"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

 

This story always gets me. It gives the answer to the question so many people ask of Christians. If God is so great, then why is there so much pain in the world, why are kids born deformed, why do bad things happen to good people…….The answer is right here for all to read. God sets out many opportunities each day so the work of God might be displayed. We know that Jesus goes on to give this man his sight back; but Jesus no longer walks the world as a human, so now what? Who is charged with continuing the Lord’s work? Next time you pass a mirror take a good look, you will find the answer there. One thing that can be said about Jesus, is that He was involved. He was always out among the people helping, doing everything He could to bring the glory of God to the people, so that they might come to know His Father, and the Father’s Son. That is now our charge. I am convinced that people born with hardships are not being punished, but just as this blind man was, they too are born so that the work of God might be displayed, violence happens all around us, but how involved are we in showing the world the path to peace? So many things in life happen, not as a punishment, but they serve as opportunities for us to step in and show the world the love of God. We get very self focused when we talk about these types of things. Well there is nothing I can do, I do not know where to start, I do not have the knowledge, I am not trained….oh there are a million little lies we tell ourselves, there are thousands of rationalizations we use to get us through the day. I can promise you, if the Lord set that person in your path, then there is something you can do, you have something to offer. If the Lord brings someone in pain into your world, there is a way for you to glorify God, and help take that pain away. There is the catch though isn’t it? How often are we looking for a way to glorify ourselves, instead of glorifying God? I do not mean that to sound as harsh as it does, but we as humans are selfish people, it is a struggle we all face, it is a challenge to overcome. But I want you to think of the last time you saw someone in need, no matter if it was someone hurting, someone struggling with a disability, or whatever the case, think of that time, and then think of your first thought……was it “ why doesn’t someone do something about that”, or “why don’t they go get the help that is available” or maybe you even think “ how could God let this happen” These are questions that God wants us to put our names into. Why doesn’t Brian do something about this, Why doesn’t Brian get them to the help they need, or maybe right to the point, How could Brian let this happen?  Oh I know I say the same thing sometimes, I am too busy, I can’t shut down my life every time someone needs some help, I have waaaay too much going on. Half way through that thought process, all I can think is what if Jesus took that approach? The blind man in the scripture would still be blind. The Adulterous woman would have been stoned, the man with the bad hand would have stayed a cripple……..The bible would read very differently is Jesus had always been waiting for someone else to take care of it. God is bringing things into your life today will you be too busy? Will you allow the opportunity to glorify God slip past? Will we live our lives as the world tells us to, looking out only for ourselves, and waiting on the other guy to step up, or will we see these things for what they are; our chance to show the world the works of God? People need angles, people are praying right now for God to intervene in their lives and send help. You are that angel to someone, you are that help! GO out and Glorify God, show the world His great works!

 

God Bless,

Brian