Oh Say Can You See

I had the great privilege this week to meet a man whose sight has been taken from him. He has also had a heart transplant, has malfunctioning kidneys, a wife who nearly lost her life several months ago, a son who was killed suddenly in a tragic accident, and the list goes on.

He did not share stories from his life as one might imagine; to gain sympathy or to complain. Tears streamed down his face as he spoke, yet there remained an unexplainable joy brimming from his countenance and a tenderness in his voice void of bitterness or anger.

Although I was in his home for business purposes, that was quickly forgotten as we sat together with his lovely wife who served us cookies and hot tea.

He was unaware of the great need I had to hear his stories; as a matter of fact, I was unaware of the great need until I met him. Without realizing it, I had been allowing my own life circumstances to blind me. As he explained that he couldn’t see past his own outstretched hand, I realized that neither could I.

I watched with my own seeing eyes, listened with my ears and felt with my heart the deep pain of a man who has wrestled with God many times and many times has surrendered himself to the hand of his Creator a changed man.

My mind takes me back to Jacob who wrestled with God till daybreak, “When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” ….then he blessed him there.” (Genesis 32:25-29)

When was the last time you wrestled with God? Oftentimes we approach life with a passivity that lacks urgency. Just as Jacob faced the darkness of the night, wrestling with his Maker, so must we. The darkness of our circumstances lacks the power to blind us to the truth of our existence. We have been created to worship God and to bring glory to His name. It is in the blackness of night that our faith is tested; we must wrestle and hold tightly to the One who knows our name.

Is your name “Doubt,” then wrestle until you are given a new name, “Faith.” Is your name “Weary,” then hold on until daybreak when you will be given the new name, “Warrior.” God is waiting to meet you and bless you when it seems all has been stripped away.

My new friend made a comment near the end of our time together that I will never forget, “I have seen clearly through my own blind eyes the goodness of my God.”

Oh say can you see?


Stay the Course...

Sheila Cote