Seeing for the first time

A man born blind receives sight. - John 9: 1-41

When the man receives his sight, everything changes. But not in the way we might expect.

Yes, he can see, but now he must also make sense of what he sees - and so must everyone around him. The neighbors question him. The religious leaders interrogate him. The system that once explained his blindness now struggles to explain his healing.

And in the middle of all of this, the man offers one of the most honest testimonies in scripture:

“I was blind. Now I see.”

He does not have all the answers. He cannot explain the theology. He does not understand the full implications of what has happened. But he knows this: something has changed.

There is a clarity that comes, not come from having everything figured out, but  from encountering Christ in a way that transforms you.

We often feel like we need to have perfect understanding before we can speak about faith. But this story reminds us that sometimes the most powerful witness is simply telling the truth of what God has done.

Today, reflect on your own story. Where has your vision changed? Where has Christ helped you see differently - about yourself, about others, about the world?

You do not need all the answers. Sometimes it is enough to say:

I was blind… and now I see.

God of new sight, thank you for the ways you have opened my eyes. Even when I do not understand everything, help me to trust what I have experienced of your grace. Give me the courage to speak honestly about the ways you are at work in my life. And continue to shape my vision, that I may see the world - and others - with your love. Amen.

^{This piece is offered by Sterling United Methodist Church and was written in collaboration between Rev. Bert Cloud and Sharon Rosenfeld. It is inspired by the book Seven Miracles: Signs of Life in the Gospel of John by Gina Anderson-Cloud, Megan Dietrick, Bill Gray, Daniel Park, Isaiah Park & Lauren Todd}