It’s the biblical truth no one likes to discuss.

Jesus gives us the answer to the whys of life in John chapter 9. But it’s the answer we don’t want to hear:

As Jesus went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him (Vs. 1-3).

His disciples asked Jesus—Who sinned? This man who was born blind or his parents? Whose fault is it, Lord? Someone must be to blame.

And Jesus’ answer? Neither. The man’s blindness was allowed so that God’s works might be displayed in him.

It was allowed—but God didn’t cause it.

The why? So God’s works might be displayed in him.

We want God to stop all the madness in the world. We pray for Him to intercede and make people do the right thing. Say the word, Lord, and remove what causes great pain.

We think of pandemics and the unknown and the confusion of recent months. We examine our calendars and bank accounts. We try to guess what the future might bring so we know how to plan for it. We are learning what little control we have over tomorrow. And we cry out to Him to help us understand.

We just want peace, joy, and happiness (and schedule, routine, and predictability).

But…do we want His works to be displayed in us no matter the cost?

We don’t want to hear that these things can be opportunities for God’s works to be displayed in us.

You and I have a choice to make every minute of our days—

> When we are back to work or when we are home or when we are sick or healthy.

> When our hearts are broken, when we are lost in ourselves, when we wish we  could somehow run away from pain.

> When we are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, when confusion has tied us  up in knots, when our anger consumes us.

> When anxiety creeps in and the “what ifs” try to overcome the “this one thing I know.”

We don’t have to try to force the display of God’s works in us. We don’t have to figure out what that looks like or how it’s done. No, that’s all God.

All we have to do is turn to Him and not to our own understanding of what we can’t understand. To let all of these things drive us to Jesus.

But how?

It’s a conversation. It’s prayer. It’s an open Bible and more prayer.

And it’s praise.

Praise? Who feels like praise when wounds are open and emotions are raw? Praise Him for what?

Begin small. Praise Him for the air you breathe, the sun, the trees, the moon and stars. Praise Him for the shoes on your feet, the milk in your fridge, the neighbor’s dog that wakes you in the night.

Praise Him for the people in your life, your home, and your favorite chair.

Praise Him because He keeps His promise to work in all things to bring good for those who love Him.

Today is the day of opportunity to teach our children why these “things” are allowed. We have an open door to show our kids what it means to take our disappointment and frustration to Jesus.  

One day, it will all be okay. This life that is a blip on the radar will move over for eternity. I believe in His saving grace. I believe everything the Bible says about heaven. I believe in His promises.

Oh, that God’s works might be displayed in my life and yours.

 

 

 

in the Quiver