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 Thoughts on a Monday  

One year at the Kiamichi Men’s Clinic, we were swimming in the river during free time. The water level and current were both up. I jumped in without realizing that my glasses were still on my face. Needless to say, they were swept off my face before I could react. I had to go the rest of the week without them, and then commence to drive home with my vision compromised. That was a long trip! By the time that I had gotten to the eye doctor, I had been without glasses for nearly two weeks. He said that the pressure was up in my eyes from me squinting for so long to try and compensate for the lack of corrective lenses.  

I remember sitting in the chair with a headache and having it almost immediately disappear when he fitted me for some new contact lenses. I had gone so long with the bad vision, that I had almost forgotten what it was like to see clearly.   Early in life I was raised in the church. I knew the books of the bible by the time I was 7 years old. I had a pretty good grasp on the idea of grace and salvation by the age of 10. However, by the age of 13 I had wandered. I spent my high school years chasing things that were opposite of the way that I had been raised. I took a year off after graduating and descended into a life of substance abuse and meaningless relationships.  

The Lord met me where I was, and lifted me back up. I had been on the outside, looking in on the church for so long, that I had almost forgotten what it was like to feel His presence, to truly see. I went back to church, and ultimately dedicated my life to the service of His church and Kingdom. I was hard at first. I had to leave behind friends and family that were still a part of that old life, and I thank God everyday for the ones who were there to pray me through it. I also thank Christ everyday for the sacrifice that he made on my behalf.  

I am reminded of the story, in John chapter 9, of the man who was blind from birth. Jesus put mud on his eyes and had him walk across town to wash it off. When he did as he was told, he could see! I often think of that journey. The people who must have witnessed this crazy guy, fumbling around the city, searching for this particular pool. Finally, when he reaches his destination… HE CAN SEE!  

Later on, the Pharisees began to question him and his family about his healing and this man Jesus. I love the response that he has in verse 25: “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”  

I can relate to the blind man. I’m not sure why I went on the journey that I did, but all I know is that at the end of it… I COULD SEE! Jesus opened my eyes, as he has countless others. That tells me that, even if you are unsure about the journey that you are on, Jesus isn’t. He is in complete control, and will open your eyes when the time is right!  

Have a great week!  

-Jason