Everything to Lose

A man blind from birth.  A seemingly hopeless condition.  Forced to depend on others.  Enduring shame as people assumed that sin was the culprit. (John 9) 

Because bad things don’t happen to good people, right?  Wrong. 

Did he live in fear or worry?  Was he lonely?  Had he lost all faith and hope?  Or had his condition become so normal that he didn’t even think about a cure?  We don’t know any of this, we can only assume.  But one thing we do know is that everything changed the day he met Jesus…

 

Jesus explained that sin didn’t cause this blindness, but that God would use it to display His works in this man’s life.  Next Jesus made mud with His spit, rubbed it on the man’s eyes, and told him to wash in the pool of Siloam.  “So the man went, washed, and came home seeing.” (John 9:7)  A miracle happened that day!  And now this man had an incredible testimony about the working of God in his life!

When I’ve studied this passage before, I’ve been touched by the man’s faith – how he believed what Jesus said, obeyed, and how his faith healed him.  Maybe this is where the term “blind faith” came from.  But today, I was impressed more so with his condition.  Obviously he was blind.  Everyone knew it.  More so, he had nothing to lose in obeying Jesus.

Later in John 9 Jesus is defending himself against the Pharisees (religious experts) who, upon hearing about the incredible miracle, were more concerned that Jesus healed on the Sabbath and was claiming to be God than about the man’s incredible testimony.

Physical blindness is obvious.  The bumps and bruises are visible and painful.  Spiritual blindness, not so much.  While the bumps and bruises of life still occur, and hurt, they can be reasoned away, coped with, or ignored.  Blinded to the root cause.  And blinded to the cure – Jesus Christ as the light of the world. 

Unlike the blind man, the Pharisees had everything to lose in following Jesus.  Power, influence, lifestyle, possessions, self-importance, independence, being accountable to no one…  Plus they reasoned that they already knew God.

And ultimately we all worship the same God, Jesus isn’t the only way to eternal life, right?  Wrong.

Therefore, they didn’t want or need Christ.  Their questions went in circles.  Their stubbornness prevented Truth from getting a foothold.  Then they turned to downright insults.  Jesus did the best He could, but even He couldn’t penetrate their defenses.

People think the work we do in South Africa is noble and needed.  The blind, sick and poor need Jesus - they have nothing else, nothing to lose.  But lately the Lord has been breaking my heart for those who feel they have everything to lose and nothing to gain.  Those who know Christ get what I’m saying.  Unfortunately, those who don’t think I’m a judgmental fanatic.  Except that I’m not the one judging here…

Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” (John 9:39) 

Born with sinful natures, we are all spiritually blind – by default.  Jesus came to set us free from the penalty of sin.  We can’t do that for ourselves.  When we recognize our blindness and accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are born again in the spiritual sense.  On the other hand, if we think we can save ourselves, if we think we can already see, then the opposite is actually true.

How do you reach a person who feels they have everything to lose and holds on with white-knuckled determination?

Honestly, I don’t have easy answers or deep spiritual insight here.  But this is something I’ve been reflecting on, praying about, even grieving over, during my time here in the US.  People have so much, do so much, and want so much that they become blinded to life’s greater meaning, missing out on God’s greater blessings.  That was me.  I was also blind, but now I see, and for that I am grateful.  I’m by no means perfect, but I don’t need to be with my trust in Christ.

Jesus didn’t give up, but he did move on…and the Pharisees remained blind, for eternity.   And while that breaks my heart, it doesn’t erode my faith or trust in Him.

My Favs

So far, my trip to the US has been great.  I’ve been busy catching up with family and friends, meeting with prayer and financial partners, and working to raise awareness and support for Ignite South Africa.  It’s been a great time, but definitely not a vacation!  I’m thinking I’ll need one when I get back to SA!!

One of the questions people frequently ask is what do I miss most about living in SA?  Of course my answer is family, friends and my home church – Kensington Community Church.  In this picture I’m at the zoo with my niece Paige and nephew Brandon.

But just for fun, here are some other things that I’ve been enjoying while I’m here – things that are different, or we can’t get, or are too expensive or far away to enjoy regularly…

Some of My Favorite Things (Easy, this isn’t the Oprah show)

Driving an automatic car!!  Thanks to a dear friend who loaned me his.

So many choices.  Everything from dozens of different cereals, sweets and sodas to being close to so many stores and malls.  Where we live in SA, a trip to the mall or movies is a day-long field trip.

Pizza.  My favorite food.  While here I’ve enjoyed Little Caesars, Jets, Buddy’s, Alibi, Mexican pizza, Mediterranean pizza, you name it!

Fast Food.  Drive-thru Arby’s eaten in the car just because I can (yeah for automatics!)  Also Burger King and Taco Bell. Yum!

Ethnic Food.  Mexican and Chinese (favs!) Arabic. Greek. Thai.  Indian.

Sales.  With my limited budget, I’m like a hunter on safari when it comes to finding great deals, discounts and year-end clearances.  I actually don’t buy much in SA, preferring to stock up when I’m back in the US.

Favorite TV shows.  This year my mom got Bones out of the public library and I’ve been catching up.  I have a crush on Seeley Booth.  And somehow I got addicted to Storage Wars.

Costco.  Cheap jeans, bulk coffee and other goodies.  Unfortunately, since most of my favorite things are food, I’m not sure if my new jeans will fit.  Shame!

Super-spiritual, huh?

But on a serious note, I’m so thankful to be able to visit on a yearly basis and grateful to those who help to make it happen.  Thank you!

Storage Wars

It seems only in America can an obsession with possession result in series of hit reality TV shows like Storage Wars.  I have to admit I find this show fun and fascinating to watch!

For those unfamiliar, when storage units are abandoned the contents are sold at public auction.   The show follows the pursuits of 2 auctioneers and 6 buyers in search of great deals. 

The storage unit is opened.  Buyers get a few minutes to peer inside but not go inside.  Then the auction begins – all or nothing.  It’s more like gambling than shopping which adds to the excitement.  Afterwards, we watch as the winner hunts for buried treasure, which sometimes turns out to be trash.  Fascinating!  Who doesn’t enjoy finding that great deal?

But what is even more fascinating to me is the fact that there are so many abandoned storage units that we can have an entire reality series with spin-offs.  Why did the owner leave behind so much stuff?  We can only speculate.

Did they die?  We all know we can’t take our stuff with us.

Did they get more stuff?  Better stuff?

Did they move away deciding to just get more stuff somewhere else?

Did the storage unit become a white elephant, too expensive to keep over time?

The show doesn’t tell anything about the owners.  All we know is that the units are abandoned and up for grabs.  People come from miles around like vultures, and those of us who don’t watch.  Fascinating!

I don’t want to read too much into this fun, light-hearted show…but… it does give me pause for reflection…

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  (Matthew 6:19-21)

Yuuup!