09 John - Looking Forward

By Richard

In John 9, Jesus and his disciples come across a man born blind from birth. The debate among the disciples becomes what sin did he, or his parents, commit to cause this to happen. Jesus points them in a totally different direction. Don’t look back for who to blame, “Look instead for what God can do!” (John 9:3, the Message). In the story the blind man is healed and a large portion of John 9 is given over to his profound testimony and bold responses before the religious leaders, who were tearing him and his family apart. Out of his blindness overflows the glory of God.

There is a guiding principle here. Even when our history may have hurt us we still need to keep a strong forward focus, looking ahead for what God can do. A friend of mine who had anorexia and ended up in hospital prayed this simple prayer every day, "God don't waste my sorrows." She ended up writing a book called Puppet on a String about her faith and experience with an eating disorder. She has helped many common sufferers find faith in Jesus and healing from their condition. Out of her sorrows overflowed the glory of God.

Let's keep looking forward for what God is and can do!