It's Dark in Here

John 9:41 (NLT)
“If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you can see.”

When I was a kid, I did not care very much for the dark. Now that I am older I still do not care much for it. The dark is full of the unknown, yet it contains things that are around in the light. 

The difference is we just can’t see them anymore.

I’ve often wondered what life must be like for those who do not have the ability to see. I am always humbled and find myself being a bit more grateful for sight when I see those that are being given assistance just to make their way across a room. 

With eternity in mind though, I wonder if it would not be better 

(in some instances) to go through this life without the gift of sight?

Rainy Day
(Forest Hill, MD)

What I mean is the gift of sight brings with it our perceptions. 

We begin to perceive that certain things are the way they are because of what we ‘see’ with our natural eyes.
We begin to perceive that our ‘way’ is the only way because we refuse to ‘see’ the words of Christ.
We perceive that things are never going to get better because we don’t ‘see’ a light at the end of the tunnel.

Jesus told the Pharisees that they were guilty because they could see.
Many have seen so much that they no longer just believe. We don’t see things working out the way we thought they would, so God is no longer the way.

(Downtown Bel Air, MD)

We have no choice over whether we can see in the natural; our decision lies in what and how we look at things. That is why some of those who were born without sight are the happiest people on the planet. They have chosen to see ‘light’ while their world is surrounded by darkness. 

I think the Apostle Paul was on to something in II Corinthians when he said, We walk by faith and not by sight.

Let your perceptions begin to find their foundation on God’s promises and not on what you see with your natural eyes.
You may see no way that your financial situation is ever going to improve; but God said, I shall supply all your need according to my riches in glory.
You may see a sickness that medical science says is incurable; but God says, By my stripes ye are healed.
The list could go on and on.

(Forest Hill, MD)

In the end, let us not be found guilty because we could see…let our eyes continue to ‘look up’ from where our help comes from. 

(Psalm 121:1)

For ordering pictures, please visit:

www.morningjogphotography.smugmug.com

Days like this...

Do you ever have a day that you would simply like to forget? My day began by walking down the stairs and stepping on a yellow jacket. I do believe its stinger went completely through my foot.
My night continued the fun with having a flat tire right outside the Baltimore Train Station. Literally hundreds of beautiful people walked by to look down upon me … then continue right on by as if I had everything under such good control that there was no need for them to stop and assist.

I sit here tonight trying to reason with myself to just try and forget about this day and its uselessness to my existence. While changing that tire and noticing as person after person passed by with only a glance, I couldn’t help but begin to think … this day was all my fault.

(Inner Harbor)
Baltimore,  MD

Huh? That doesn’t make any sense. Days like this just happen right? 

You know, Momma said there would be days like this. The tough days are just a part of life.

After experiencing another one of ‘these’ days though, I have come to a realization that they seem to occur more often when I find myself in a place of complacency.

* Many states are now passing laws to try and keep motorists from texting and driving. One of the main reasons is complacency. “It will never happen to me, so it won’t hurt if I shoot this ‘vital’ text off while driving down the interstate at 75 mph.”
* Some of the greatest teams in the history of sport have needed a loss to shake them out of complacency.
* Marriages fall apart in so many cases because of this one simple thing.

Complacency sets in because we lose sight of the prize.
When times are bad and we are facing mountains of difficulty, it is not hard at all to find a reason to humble ourselves and pray. The focus we have is relentless, for we have a purpose that drives us toward His ways. We don’t have time to think, ‘It will never happen to me,’ because it IS happening to us. 

(National Mall)
Washington, D.C.

How easy it is though to slip out of the process He has us in only to find ourselves complacent. And sometimes it takes one of these days to shake us back into line.

What is important?
What is vital?
Is your mind, heart, and soul focused?
Are there areas in your life that are not getting the necessary attention?

Get rid of the notion that it will never happen to you. Cherish these days when things just do not go right. Allow it to guide you back to focusing on the process that will lead you toward the prize of an abundant life in Christ.

For ordering blog pictures, please visit:

www.morningjogphotography.smugmug.com