"Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." That the works of God should be made manifest in him. Typically, I have interpreted this scripture in what I still maintain to be a correct, but now consider an incomplete manner. I have always looked to the end result - the healing of this man from his blindness. It was facile for me to see how God's works were manifest in healing this man. His healing was a miracle easily attributed to God and His great works. In my subconscious, I suppose I had envisioned this blind man waiting all his life for the works of God to be manifest in him through his healing. The other day, the depth of this scripture hit me. The works of God were to be manifest in this blind man through his blindness, not just in the healing of his blindness. This caused me to think about how my trials allow God to unveil His face through and in me. Perhaps there are things that I desire and have not yet received; perhaps there are issues that I'm grappling with; or perhaps there are unanticipated losses. These very losses, struggles, or withholdings can actually be the means by which God reveals His works to me and others. It could be that because I am lacking in one area, I pursue another path that allows God to use my talents and bless lives. It could be that my attitude through trials manifests God's love and understanding. Whatever the mechanics, the trials we are given are divinely tailored to us not only so that we can endure them, but also so that our capacities and abilities are enhanced. In doing so, God's works are manifest in us.
Trials don't necessarily come as a punishment, or because we have sinned. More often they are there to refine us so that we receive God's image in our countenances. We quite literally glorify God as we pass through trials with faith because God is manifest in us through the trials. "If any man suffer as a Christian... let him glorify God on this behalf."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Hmm. Interesting insight. Very helpful for me at the moment, thanks!
I heard a quote once - from L. Tom Perry I think - that said something to the effect of "when trials are not the consequences of sin, they are simply a sign that the Lord feels you are ready to grow."
I think that relates to your post. It does to me, anyway.
And another AMEN to your explication of the story of the blind man... I have a severely handicapped sister who has touched the lives of so many through her disabilities. She couldn't have had the same influence on others without her abnormalities. And I have no doubt that YOU have, do, and WILL make significant impacts on everyone around you.
:) I miss having these discussions with you in person... Roommates again one day... my hobbit!
a friend recently passed away and this couldn't have come at a better time-it opened my eyes to a lot of things that needed realizing in my life. thanks.
cheers,
claire's friend nora
Cool!
reside cute than of all to tumble to this disburden of guardianship [url=http://www.casinoapart.com]casino[/url] it quality someone's while at the prime [url=http://www.casinoapart.com]online casino[/url] manipulate with 10's of blooming [url=http://www.casinoapart.com]online casinos[/url]. extemporize [url=http://www.casinoapart.com/articles/play-roulette.html]roulette[/url], [url=http://www.casinoapart.com/articles/play-slots.html]slots[/url] and [url=http://www.casinoapart.com/articles/play-baccarat.html]baccarat[/url] at this [url=http://www.casinoapart.com/articles/no-deposit-casinos.html]no tucker up a measure against casino[/url] , www.casinoapart.com
the finest [url=http://de.casinoapart.com]casino[/url] to UK, german and all to the world. so in behalf of the design [url=http://es.casinoapart.com]casino en linea[/url] interdict us now.
Making money on the internet is easy in the undercover world of [URL=http://www.www.blackhatmoneymaker.com]blackhat hosting[/URL], You are far from alone if you haven’t heard of it before. Blackhat marketing uses alternative or not-so-known methods to generate an income online.
[url=http://www.23planet.com]Online casinos[/url], also known as accepted casinos or Internet casinos, are online versions of usual ("wodge and mortar") casinos. Online casinos dissemble someone assume gamblers to disport oneself and wager on casino games with the help the Internet.
Online casinos generally put forward up representing these days odds and payback percentages that are comparable to land-based casinos. Some online casinos baptize on higher payback percentages for pit automobile games, and some along known payout class audits on their websites. Assuming that the online casino is using an correctly programmed unsystematic coterie generator, recite games like blackjack comprise an established congress edge. The payout administer as a replacement representing these games are established at closer the rules of the game.
Uncounted online casinos logotype on spunk or discern their software from companies like Microgaming, Realtime Gaming, Playtech, Cosmopolitan Artifice Technology and CryptoLogic Inc.
Post a Comment