What Do You See?

by | Jun 30, 2014

Mark 8:23-24
So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”

Ok ladies, first of all, I have to admit this verse stating that he saw ‘men like trees walking.’ is a bit bewildering to me. I have never quite understood it totally because we all know that all Jesus had to do was heal his eyes, he didn’t even have to speak or touch the man so when I get to heaven I am asking Jesus what the story is behind this, if you have any ideas feel free to let me know. But anyhow, that is not what our devotions are about today, I just had to throw that thought in this morning.

Several times in the gospels we see that Jesus healed the blind. I can only imagine how excited they must have been to have their sight back. Most of us so take for granted that we can see, I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to get used to not seeing. I love to see the beauty of all that God has created! I wonder what those people were like once they could see again……

Allow me to ask you a couple questions:
When you look around what do you see? Are you grateful for all you see? When you ‘see’ are you judgmental? When you ‘see’ people do you see them for who they are or what color they are or what clothes they wear or house they live in? Now, for the most disturbing question: would you be nicer if you were blind, if you couldn’t see what that lady looked like, what clothes she is wearing or the color of her skin? Would you be nicer?

How often do we make judgment calls based on what we think we see and it is done in both directions. Often someone who has money or a certain position or career is looked on as more spiritual or somehow just better when in all reality you don’t know that persons heart. I have seen and known of situations where someone is just thought to be oh so godly because of what they do and it isn’t true, I have seen people who were the most godly, quiet and loving people passed over because they weren’t “important enough.”

Wake up ladies, this is why God didn’t ever give anyone the ‘gift of judging others’. That is not a fruit of the spirit. So if you or anyone you know thought it was you can let them know….. no, no it isn’t. Now, if you have a friend that you know is doing something that is wrong and it is detrimental to them and or their family or others talk to them with God’s leading in order to help them avoid falling, but don’t walk around looking for others to correct. If we all spend time correcting ourselves, God will have less discipline to do and we can focus on serving Him better.

Let me encourage you today, if there’s someone you have been avoiding because of what you think you see pray and ask God if there’s something you are missing about them. Maybe there is, maybe there isn’t, but don’t judge based on what you are ‘looking at’, ask God to see others the way He sees them.
Quote:
“Eyes that look are common; eyes that truly see are rare.” J. Oswald Sanders

1 Comment

  1. Al Stephens

    OK if I venture a guess re: men, like trees walking? I’ve always thought, for whatever reason, it would seem that the man’s eyes were still blurry. If so, that’s exactly what he would have seen: men, as dark(?) vertical figures moving or walking around. Who knows why it required a second act by Jesus to give the man perfectly clear sight. Justa guess, of course.