How Then Were Your Eyes Opened?

His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was.

Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”

But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

“How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.

He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” (John 9:10-11)

I AM THAT MAN!

I wish I could talk with him. I wonder if there were times that he would have preferred to stay blind. Were all the things he saw worth it? Was he excited at first and then questioned this blessing later on?

Regardless, Jesus washed him and then he could see, and one thing is FOR SURE, he had to learn to operate differently in his world because of this great miracle.

I AM THAT MAN!

It's been stirring for a while. Little pieces, like a puzzle, being turned over, sometimes one at a time, sometimes in groups. But I hadn't seen the front of the box. What is this a picture of? What am I going to have once I fit all of these pieces together? AND then it came with such clarity.....Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes and now I can see.

And as if I needed any more confirmation, Jesus must have taken a picture of this puzzle and handed it to my pastor because he held it up for me to see again on Sunday. Here are some of the pieces that he puts words too for me....

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (well not this one, but it was on the overhead)

Fear of ReJection

I will not back down from what God is doing inside of me!

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7)

Sometimes BIG things can't happen without a BIG problem!

What you fear reveals what you value the most. What you fear reveals where you trust God the least!

My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride. When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me. (Psalm 56:2)

Oh, Yes, the mud has been applied, washed off, and now I can see.

I'm not sure why God thinks I'm ready to see this now and, even though I'm trying, I can't see the beauty of the puzzle yet. I'm still in shock from the picture that has become so clear to me. But I know it's coming...



The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61