“I am the light of the world.”
John 9:1-7
Often times we need to see things with a new vision.
I know someone who had lens replacement surgery, with light adjustable lenses, to improve their vision. They can see great now without contacts or eyeglasses. They went without contacts for two weeks before the surgeries, using eye drops every day. The surgeries were a week apart. In addition, they used eye drops three times a day after surgery. They had two light treatments to adjust the power of the lenses. The final treatment permanently locked in the vision. This person had to wear sunglasses all day for two months. There were times when the process was extremely difficult. It was painful, inconvenient and expensive. But it was worth it. As a result, their vision was corrected, and they do not need to use glasses or contacts.
John chapter 9 presents an incredible story about Jesus healing a man who was born blind. I’m not sure those practicing optometry today would approve of Jesus method of healing a man born blind by using mud made with his saliva, but perhaps the methodology of Jesus represents one reason he was known as the great physician in contrast to being identified as a common, practicing physician. In this story, Jesus applied this saliva mud to the man’s eyes and told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam (which means sent). As the story goes, the blind man obeyed. He went to the pool, washed his eyes, and came back with his sight fully restored. And although the instructions of Jesus appeared to be, let’s face it, ridiculous on the surface, his intervention in this man’s life was miraculous.
Following instructions is critical to obtaining a new vision.
My friend had Instructions to follow that the surgeon required before, during and after her surgeries. She was faithful to follow those instructions, and she had to trust the surgeon to perform his tasks. She believed that he would be able to correct her vision, and she responded by placing her trust in that individual. Likewise, the man born blind had to trust that what Jesus told him to do would bring about his healing. He had to follow through with methods and instructions that almost certainly didn’t make any sense to him. The man obeyed and his sight was restored.
The power of the Bible often lies in our ability to see ourselves in the lives of others as their stories are written across the page. In reference to the John 9 account of the man being healed of blindness, it’s unlikely that we will ever have mud smeared across our eyes, followed by instructions to wash in a pool to remedy our physical blindness. However, it’s very true that we all have areas of blindness that interfere with us seeing ourselves the way that Jesus views us and having hope for our lives that aligns with his purpose. The bottom line is that our lives are fractured, and that we all need Jesus.
We need each other for support to accomplish our vision.
A second truth is that we need one another. You have to believe that it’s not a coincidence that you have become a part of the GHS family. God desires to use our team to serve you as instruments of grace and truth as we come alongside you to offer support within the context of your weight loss journey.
Questions:
- Is it hard for you to envision a new way and trust the process of your new eating plan?
- Can you see that your path to desired wellness can be found in approaches that are unique as compared to what you have heard and experienced before?
- Difficulties are part of the process of learning. Are you willing to follow instructions you may struggle with that will help you regain your health?
- Can you think of an area in your life that you had to work through major inconveniences and discomfort in order to achieve your goal?
Song: