I am blind sometimes, failing to see and receive the grace given to me, scratching at the corners of my days to sense its presence, when it’s really evident if I take my spiritual blinkers off.
When I fail to deliberately look for the Light of God’s presence, dwell in darkness of spirit, weariness of body and soul and a disposition of discouragement, it’s usually because I’ve neglected to realise that God is right here, walking beside me always.
Life looks much the same to outside eyes, but I know I’m not walking forward as confidently as before, because I stumble punch-drunk, like one without a way or a purpose.
During those times, I’ve allowed the voice of the world to drown out God’s whispers to my heart. I’ve given in to feelings more than listening to faith. Always an unsettling thing to do. Maybe you can relate?
Blindness of the spirit is every bit as debilitating as being physically blind, because it keeps us in the dark about God, hides clear evidence of His presence and persuades us we’re coping just fine as we are, thank you very much.
Spiritual blindness makes the world seem clouded and hazy, because we’ve failed to let the Light in. It causes us to stumble, to fail to appreciate God at work in the world, as we trip over doctrine we know in our heads but fail to receive in our hearts.
Our walking through this world becomes confined and constrained, because we continually bump against our brokenness and have no lasting solution to it ourselves.
Until we remember the reasons why Jesus came, lived, died and was resurrected for us: to purchase our freedom from sin, guilt, shame and pain, to be the Light we all need.
We’re God’s beloved ones, blood-bought sons and daughters, precious in His sight. He longs for us to live with open, receptive minds and hearts toward Him.
I want to live in the light of eternity but life itself keeps stopping me, making me blind to the goodness that surrounds me. I need Jesus to show me the Way, to reveal His Light shining in every dark place.
We need Jesus to reveal how to live like we are truly free, no longer captive to the things of this world or its numerous cares and concerns. Set free by God’s amazing mercy and grace.
Dear Joy,
Oh this sentence is going straight to my heart: “Our walking through this world becomes confined and constrained, because we continually bump against our brokenness and have no lasting solution to it ourselves.” It’s the same thought that God has been speaking to me, and I am in awe of the way that God keeps confirming His Words! He truly is making sure that we keep our eyes opened to the LIGHT of His Grace and Love in our lives. We are “Set free by God’s amazing mercy and grace.” Blessings, love, and hugs to you my dear friend. xoxo
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Dear Bettie, it never ceases to amaze me how God eagerly and insistently speaks to us, especially when it happens via the blogs we follow! I was browsing the few draft posts I have in reserve here, edited and updated a couple, but nothing felt quite right. Then I found this one. It was almost complete and needed minimal work to finish it for publishing. Which was great, because I sensed God was drawing me to share these words with my readers this week. Therefore, your response has confirmed to my uncertain heart that I had heard aright! Praise God for confirming His Truth to both of us and revealing just how detailed His loving care is, how wondrously it can be traced in every facet of our everyday lives. Blessings, love and hugs to you, sweet friend! xoxo
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Oh so true, Joy. I identify with that continual “bumping against our brokenness.” I love this truth – “We need Jesus to reveal how to live like we are truly free, no longer captive to the things of this world or its numerous cares and concerns. Set free by God’s amazing mercy and grace.” Amen! I have been encumbered by so many cares and concerns today. Thank you for this encouragement to me today to remember that we are His and to trust His mercy and grace to set us free and to live free. Love and hugs to you!
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Trudy, however hard we try or long for it to be otherwise, our broken state remains clearly evident, at least to us (and to God) if not to others. I’m so sorry to hear you’ve felt heavily weighed down by a burden of cares and concerns. From what I know of you, I am guessing many of them are related to things that affect other people, maybe more than yourself. Such is your tender, compassionate heart that aches to see wrongs righted and people set free from their painful experiences. Thankfully, whether these things are personal or not, they can all be laid at Jesus’ feet. We cannot bear our burdens easily, but He willingly carries them for us with love and grace. May you be able to fully trust God’s mercy and grace, believing that He and He alone is able to fully set you and others free from all that holds them captive. Sending gentle hugs, love and prayers to you, dear friend. May you confidently rest in all that Jesus has already done to set us free. xox ❤
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