Sight versus Insight By John Bredenkamp (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

Encourage one another and build each other up.   1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 (NIV)

As I stood to preach one morning, I suddenly lost the sight in my left eye. I couldn’t see the faces of people in the congregation or the notes I had prepared for my sermon. After two surgeries and weekly visits to the ophthalmologist, my vision is almost back to normal. Reflecting on this experience, I began thinking about spiritual blindness. Because I had not been comfortable reading during the months after I lost sight in my eye, my devotional life suffered. I spent much less time with my Lord. I began to wonder, Is my faith so shallow that I could get so easily sidetracked? When I was at this low ebb, God allowed me to see in a different way. I saw kindness, caring, and prayerful concern and support from many people — especially my wife, Joan, our family, and church community. I was prayed for and encouraged by phone calls and emails. The support I received reminded me of today’s reading and scripture quote. This experience tested my faith, but God used the time to prompt me to introspection and help me really see myself. I had thought that I was in control of my life when all along God had been in charge. During this experience and ever since, God has been training me in humility and patience.

TODAY'S PRAYER   Dear God, thank you for all of our many blessings. Help us to grow closer to you each day — especially in times of trial. Amen.   * * *     TODAY'S READING   James 1:2-5         THOUGHT FOR THE DAY   How can I exercise my spiritual muscles today?         PRAYER FOCUS   Those who have lost their eyesight