Learning from Jesus - Pt. 10

 

And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” (Mark 8:22-26 ESV).

 

Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” What a question to ask. Of, course the blind man didn’t see as clearly as he might have thought he would. He answered, “I see people, but they look like trees.” Then Jesus laid hands on the man and his sight was completely restored. Sometimes we don’t get everything we desire. You can see the picture I’ve attached today. It is from the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. I was fly fishing for rainbow trout early in the morning and as I cast to the bend in this picture a good-sized trout rose and took the fly. I was excited to say the least! It began to shake its head and ultimately spit the hook. Dejected, I took a picture of the scene of the “crime.” I certainly hope to get a second chance at this one!

 

There are times when we have been left empty-handed by our circumstances, our pain, or all the distractions around us. A friend may step in and invite us into a conversation with Jesus. If we accept the invitation, we may have an opportunity to be healed by Jesus. What I love about this story is that Jesus asks, in effect, “What are you seeing?” Sometimes our healing can take place progressively rather than instantaneously. Jesus walks with us. He continues to engage in the conversation, and he asks for our honesty.

 

The great news is that we will have nothing but good at the end of this journey. I don’t know if I’ll catch another rainbow trout (I’ve caught some good ones along the way), but I know Jesus wants me to see the wonder of His presence and grace. Standing in the cool water of the river I simply saw the beauty of the changing of the seasons and thought how fortunate I was to even be here. No trout, but I had more than enough!  What do you see today?