July 2
Mark 8:22-26
When I was in 7th grade, the youth group took a trip to Mexico to help at an orphanage. I thought, “I like kids, this will be fun!” Then our youth pastor told us to be careful with hugging the children, because many of them had lice and other diseases. At that point I was a little grossed out and wondering what I had gotten myself into. But when I got there and saw all those children with their big eyes and sweet smiles, I had one of those ‘punch in the gut’ moments, and I didn’t give a hoot about lice. I learned a lot on that trip about poverty, compassion, and Jesus’ amazing love. Sometimes Jesus has to lead us to a different place to really open our eyes. I know that not everyone has the chance to go to a foreign country, but we have all had experiences with doing things outside our comfort zones. Sometimes God leads us to do things we are not familiar with. And we may put up a struggle, but usually those are the times we learn so much about God and about ourselves. So next time God is calling you to an unfamiliar place, remember that He may be just trying to help you see things more clearly.
Principle: Jesus may lead one away from familiar surroundings to give progressive new sight.
Application:
1. What process has Jesus used to develop my faith in Him this last year/month/week?
2. Do I follow Jesus away from the crowd so that He may give me new sight?
3. What am I doing to bring the sightless to Jesus?
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Question #1…Because of BSF and this study, I am learning the importance and benefits of my daily quiet time of being in God’s Word. I think I can compare it to my salvation experience in one way. I had always had a head knowledge of Jesus, but not until I was 31 did I experience the heart knowledge. And now, after 29 years of being a Christian, I believe I have transferred the head knowledge of my need to start my day with God, to a real heart knowledge and desire to develop my faith on a daily basis. It saddens me to think that I have put so many things ahead of God for so long, But I will count my blessings and be thankful that I am learning this lesson now. I pray that I will become stronger in this newly forming daily routine.
ReplyDeleteWhat really stuck out to me as I read this passage today was that Jesus touched the man twice. The first time the man was able to see a little. The next touch he was able to clearly see things. I think sometimes in my life Jesus leads me away from my comfortable surrounding but only gives me a glimps of why. Then later He reveals His plans for me. This makes me think of a lesson a few weeks back when the main theme seemed to be, "have faith and just believe." When He leads me away from others I must have faith that He is in control and will take care of things, especially when He just gives me a glimps of what He has in store for me.
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