“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”” (John 9:1-2 NLT)
The disciples came across a blind man and they ask a hard question. It’s a question that we have all been at least tempted to ask when hard circumstances announce themselves in our lives. They ask “why?”
We look at this scripture and we come to correct conclusion that we can ask Jesus anything. No wondering of our heart is off limits to Him.
Our Savior’s answer is fantastic.
“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” (John 9:3 NLT)
Wow.
If we are reading this right, we realize that the very worst places in our lives might be the precise spaces that God wants to display His glory! Our weakest moments are the exact minutes when His power pushes through. The result? He is made famous!
“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT)
Even dear Apostle Paul was burdened-blessed with a thorn: a hangup, a weakness, a heavy health concern, we don’t know. And even though he asked God three times to remove the offending barb, in His wisdom, God left it in place, burrowed in his flesh and keeping him humble. Why? Because apparently, God’s grace shown through Paul’s weakness.
Paul’s thorn kept him from pride. Perhaps the blind man’s sightlessness had kept him from sin? The crippled man’s legs held him from walking in the way of mockers? We do not yet know the full extent of His sovereignty and grace, but we can trust that His ways are perfect.
Dearest Lord, even our infirmities are redeemed for Your glory! Thank You for giving us permission and proximity to ask the tough questions. May we yield the strong and the weak areas of our lives equally. Feel free to wield them at will for Your Kingdom. Amen.