Blinded

Dear Family and Friends,

On one of our trips to Japan, we had an encounter I’ll never forget.

We were riding on a bus when a blind woman and her friend got on. Unfortunately for them, all the seats were taken.

Not to be deterred, the friend carefully maneuvered the woman into one of those seats that fold down into the aisle – right next to me.

Do you know what surprised me the most as I welcomed her?

It was her expression. She was at total peace. Yes, they customarily apologized to everyone for the bother but her face showed no signs of sadness nor frustration with her disability.

Just total acceptance of her life mixed with what looked like excited anticipation of adventures to come.

It’s moments like this that move me to self-reflect. Oh, how I sometimes yearn for things I don’t have. And take for granted what I do.

How about you?

Have you noticed that we tend to value what we have when we notice it’s missing?

My friends, one reason why we make sacrifices during this season of Lent is to remind us of how blessed we really are because of Jesus’ sacrifice, and how grateful we should be for the many other blessings of God.

In his letter to the brothers and sisters in Thessalonica, Paul says to, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

So how do we do this? How do we give thanks in all circumstances?

This familiar story of Jesus healing the ten lepers gives us a few tips.

“¹¹ Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance ¹³ and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

¹⁴ When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

¹⁵ One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

¹⁷ Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.””
Luke 17 NIV

What we can learn from this story?

First, when the ten men called out to Jesus (v 13) they called Him Master. They used a Greek term for a person of authority.

They knew – they believed – what Jesus could do for them. 

One possible reason why we take all that is good for granted is we take credit for them. Or we chalk it up to good fortune. 

Instead of remembering from Whom all blessings flow and give credit to Whom credit is due. 

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  James 1:17 NIV

Second, the man who came back to thank Jesus was a Samaritan. Given his standing in relation to the others, who were likely Jews, he had no expectations of being healed. 

Just as it was for the Samaritan, let’s not set expectations on God. And remember that He retains the right to choose who He blesses.

“The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.”  Psalm 135:6 NIV

And when He does bless us, remember that a blessing is like a gift given to someone undeserving.

Third, verse 15 says that when the Samaritan saw that he was healed, he stopped, turned around, dropped to Jesus’ feet thanking Him, and started praising God profusely. He made it into a big deal, because to him it was!

Taking things for granted comes naturally for many of us. Meanwhile, having a grateful heart does not. Why?

Because being grateful requires we turn away from our self-centeredness, a condition drilled into us by this world and you know who.

The following verse helps to explain why God blesses us, and our role in this fight against the enemy. 

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”  2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NIV

In short, God blesses us so we can bless others. May all see the glory of God. 

Allow me to close with this.

Consider keeping watch for God’s blessings in your life;

Remembering that Jesus gave His life so you may have one;

Standing in awe that the Creator of the Universe chose to bless YOU!

In love always,