Sight and Insight

He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” John 9:25

John 9:25 has had a special place in my heart. I have been blind in one eye for over 70 years. Being monocular means I don’t have depth perception, and I don’t have a full view of the landscape in front of me. It has not been easy playing sports that involve a ball of any kind. I cannot adjust to the speed of the ball coming towards me fast enough to be of any value. Baseball, basketball, racquetball, and even pickleball are difficult for me to perform at a high level. Golf is fine. I’m just not any good at it. Driving a car means that I look to my right at least twice to make sure no cars are coming. I’ve had some close calls, but fortunately, no accidents have occurred.

There have been several situations where I could have lost sight in my good eye, but miraculously, I didn’t. In high school, I was hit in my good eye by a snowball, and I saw double for a week. I didn’t tell anyone, thinking it would heal itself. A week later, the issue persisted, and I prayed fervently. The next day, my sight was restored. Coincidence, I don’t think so.

I acquired a virus in my good eye, which would have permanently blinded me. Fortunately, a new topical eye drop had been available earlier that year. Once it was applied, my sight was restored. Coincidence, I don’t think so.

Two other times, I could have lost vision in my good eye, but didn’t. The Lord spared me from being blind in both eyes. I can’t imagine how my life would have been different without my sight. Every aspect of my life would have changed. I would not have been able to drive, work in any conventional job, see my kids grow up, cook, do chores, work on a computer, or participate in most activities. Am I grateful? Absolutely! Am I humbled that God allowed me to see clearly in my good eye for all these years? Yes! Do I want to share the grace of God in this experience? Of course! This is why I am writing this devotional.

Earlier in my life, I participated in a musical at our church. I chose to play the blind man whose sight is restored by Jesus, as we read his story in John 9. And even though my right eye is still sightless, I can say with gusto similar to the text quoted at the beginning of this devotional in my own words. “One thing I do know, I was blinded, but I can STILL see.” Praise God who cares for me enough to allow me to see when the odds were against it.

The most important lesson is the spiritual one. He continues to give me spiritual sight and clarity that I was previously blind to. He opens the eyes of my heart so I can see him more clearly every day. Even my physical blindness has shown me how a sovereign God cares for me and provides me with numerous spiritual insights.

Open the eyes of their hearts, and let the light of Your truth flood in. Ephesians 1:18

Lord, thank you for sight and all the benefits that have come with it over the years. May I serve you the rest of my days with sight or without. You are greater than any blindness.