Blurred Vision

Recent facial surgery has me fumbling about without any eyeglasses.  My trifocals (which I wear constantly) are too big and heavy to rest on the pressure dressing.  My “computer” glasses aren’t much better even though they correct only two fields of vision.  I’m thankful to have a lightweight pair for distance and TV viewing.  At least I can wear those!  But that means I can’t read the calendar, recipes or books.  I can’t do any crafts or use my sewing machine.  Even Bible study is out of the question since I use a small print, four translation parallel Bible.  What a dilemma!

That had me searching the scriptures (on the computer only) for NT references to blindness.  What a wealth of teachings I happened upon!  The Gospels alone contain 46 references using the word blind!  The most endearing incidents are of Jesus giving sight to the blind, like the following which appears in all three Synoptic Gospels;

Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.  All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"    Matthew 12:22; Mark 3:23-27 and Luke 11:17-22

Sadly enough, the Pharisees were unconvinced by this display of Heavenly power and accused Jesus of using the power of demons;

…But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."    Matthew 12:24

It’s easy enough for me to condemn these Pharisees as hard-hearted or perhaps foolish not to recognize the power of God.  If I’m honest, however, there are some ways in which I become blind to God’s Truth.  What about the “air pollution” and “smog” that hovers around me when I’m too distracted by worldly things to concentrate on the Heavenly ones?

Or, when I’m constantly in motion doing, doing, and doing – am I too busy to hear that “still, small Voice”?  I’m reminded that Jesus used the metaphor of blindness to condemn the unbelief of the Jewish religious leaders. 

“Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”  Matthew 15:14

At other times I’ve allowed petty, nagging worries to block my view of the Divine.  I need to get around all the underbrush for a clear and inspiring vista, just like Mt. Rainier appearing around the next bend!

Love as always,  Elaine (changing lenses again!)