John 8-9

Jesus is the Son of Man and the Son of God.  That’s what He wants us to come to understand in our relationship with Him.  He is responsible for our eternal connection to God.  He tries His best to explain just that in His is own words in John 8-9. 

I don’t know about you, but everywhere I turn I feel like I am running into bad news, tragic stories, hard circumstances, unbelievable struggles people are facing.  My heart breaks to see such horrible things happen to so many good people.  Even harder, are the innocent children who are not exempt from suffering.  We’ll never know what it’s like to walk in another’s shoes, but for sure we are all fighting our own battles.  And it’s very clear, some have to fight more, fight harder, fight longer.  It’s impossible to understand.  It makes me count my blessings.

When Jesus heals the blind man in today’s reading (John 9), He reminds us that the man's lack of sight was not because of anything he did.

³ “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

John 9:3

The blind man spent years in darkness from birth, begging and needy.  Yet, after one personal encounter with Jesus, He could see.  His life was better and full of light.  Jesus changed Him and others took notice.  He doesn't really seem to understand or comprehend "how" Jesus does it, but He believes because He, himself, experienced it.

When we let Jesus into our lives, we are also changed for the better.  Our struggles have purpose.  So even though we don't understand the struggles themselves, whatever they may be, we can know that God is at work.   And when God is at work, not only do our struggles have purpose for us personally, chances are good they serve an even bigger purpose in the lives of those around us.  We just have to believe!

Often, we can't see the divine purposes of our struggles when we are in the middle of them.  But sometimes, we are lucky enough to get glimpses of God's perfect plan in retrospect.  Think about that in your own life.  That's God's way of reminding us that whatever we are facing right now, He is working it out.  Understanding it all isn't so important.  It's the believing that counts!

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank you for sending Jesus to be my direct connection to You.  Jesus is my Savior; and through Him, my struggles have divine purpose. I believe in your perfect plan for me, Lord.  Be with me.  Walk with me.  Help me to face my struggles and my triumphs with thanksgiving.  I also pray for all those who weighing on my heart today and in need of your guidance and comfort.

In the name of Jesus I pray,

Amen

Many blessings,