Jesus said to the blind man in Jericho, “What can I do for you?” The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “On your way”, said Jesus, “Your faith has saved and healed you.'” In that very instant, he recovered his sight and followed Jesus down the road. Mark 10:51-52
Helen Keller was inspiring in the way she dealt with her blindness and deafness. She once wrote a magazine article entitled: Three Days To See. In that article, she outlined what she would like to see if she were granted just three days of sight.
On the first day, she said that she would like to be able to see her friends. The second day she said that she would like to be able to see the nature around her. Lastly, she said that on her final day, she would like to spend her time in her home city of New York watching the busy city and seeing the bustle of people going about their day.
She concluded her article with these words: “If I who am blind can give one hint to those who can see, it would be; Use your eyes today as if tomorrow you would be stricken blind.
I am convinced that being able to see is one of the greatest things we take for granted in this life. For those of us who have always been blessed to see, we don’t know what it’s like to live day to day without that blessing. Someone once said to Helen Keller, “What a pity you can not see.” She replied, “Yes, but what a pity that so many have sight but cannot see.“
It is said that if one cannot physically see, the other senses such as hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling become a way to “see”. I am convinced that a person who has lost their sight becomes more attuned to the feelings of others – they sense the pain, the heartache, even the joy of others, and they are some of God’s most perfect ministers.
Our friend, Will, is a great example of a person who sees with his heart. When Will was a young boy, a surgery for another condition left him blind. He could have become bitter, retiring, and withdrawn, but he did just the opposite. He’s funny, quick witted, and sincere.
I didn’t know Will then, but I’ve known him for the past thirty eight years, and he is a tower of strength. He loves His Lord, makes beautiful bracelets with a cross on each one, sings in choirs, and attends functions at church.
When you are with Will, you can’t help but feel his caring, his concern, and his love for the one speaking with him. It’s never about him, but rather, he always asks about the person with whom he’s speaking. He never fails to say, “It’s good to see you!” I believe he truly does see the heart of others. Can you see like that?
There are those in life who cannot see, but there are also those who refuse to see. The blind man in our scripture had been blind since birth. He probably heard stories of Jesus and knew that he was a great teacher and prophet sent from God. When Jesus came to Jericho, he simply said, “Jesus, I want to see.” His faith healed his blindness.
The story is told of a father who was trying to read a magazine, but he was being bothered by his little girl, Jessica. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his magazine on which was printed a map of the world. Tearing it into pieces, he handed it to Jessica and said, “Go into the other room and see if you can put this together.”
After a few minutes, she returned and handed him the map correctly fitted together. The father was shocked and asked her how she finished so quickly. “Oh,” she said, “on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where he belonged, the world came together.” Can you see like that?
The Lenten season is halfway over, and I wonder can we see? Can we see the things in our lives that need to be changed in order to see with our hearts and not just our eyes? Can we see physically but refuse to see the needs and hurts all around us? Can you see how to get Jesus back where He belongs?
I love the words of Amazing Grace that say: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound; That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, But now I’m found; Was blind but now I see. John Newton
Can you see like that?
If you’d like to see the talents of many, including Will along with his bracelets, come on over to Grace Resurrection and attend our Artisan Show on Saturday, March 28 from 10-4!!