The Art of Being Seen

Chris looking at me and smiling

 Yesterday, we looked at a story out of Matthew 12, where Jesus riled up the religious zealots of the day by healing a withered hand on the Sabbath. I mean, of all the nerve! I think if I had a withered hand, I'd be pretty willing to be healed at any time of any day. Lol. 

Today, I spent my time reading and rereading another passage about a healing that made the Pharisees mad. It's in John 9 and it's one of my all time favorite passages. Jesus healed a man who had been blind since birth. It totally tipped the religious minded people off their edges. They were so angry. But I want to look at the first part of the chapter.

In the first verse, it says that Jesus saw the man who had been blind since birth. This time, though, His disciples saw Him see the blind man. They asked a legit question about why the man was blind and Jesus answered it. Yesterday, the Pharisees saw Jesus see the crippled man and they lashed out. In both passages, those who witnessed what Jesus saw had a response. One was acceptable and one was not. Either way - when Jesus saw the individuals it elicited a response and moved Him to action. 

I love that Jesus saw the person each time. These were crowded places and the writers of these gospels made it a point to say that Jesus saw them. It makes me think it is significant and it brings to mind one of my favorite OT stories. Hagar. When she realized God saw her, she said - Oh, He IS the God who sees! Her freedom and healing followed shortly, although hers was not a physical healing.

We can rest assured today that He is still the God who sees. And just like Jesus saw these men in these two passages - He sees us right where we are today. When He sees us - it elicits a response. Will we trust Him? The blind man was instructed to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man with the withered hand was instructed to stretch out his hand. Both responded. What is our response when we realize God sees us?

Do we reach out our hearts toward Him, or draw away? Do we wash our hearts in the living water Jesus gave, or do we sit down and pout? The only people pouting in these passages were the Pharisees. Lol. They just couldn't get it and they couldn't think outside their religious boxed-in mindsets to see who was actually walking among them.

Today, I want to get out of my own religious mindset and remind myself that Jesus is walking this day with me. And He will see me. I pray my response is one of trust and quick obedience. And I won't try to hide from His sight - we can do that instinctually, since the beauty of caregiving is not seen by the closed-minded, religious eye. I am seen and I will LET Him see me today as I trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?

__________________________________________________



Book of the Week!


Affirmations for Caregiver

  • Are you a caregiver?
  • Do you know a caregiver?
  • Do you need a little encouragement?
  • What does God think about you?

Grab a copy of the Affirmations for Caregivers! This devotional journal gives a scripture and an affirmation for every day. It follows up the truth with soul-searching questions and space to write out your personal answers. What a great way to give it to God and trust Him for another day!

Whether you see yourself as a caregiver or not, this affirmation journal will help change your perspective as you give it all to the One who gave you all. Grab a copy and dive in! It's designed to take about 5-10 minutes a day to reflect, think deeply, and lean into His heart a little closer.

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