In my life recently, I have been reminded of Jesus’s perseverance and steadfast love for me. I look back in my life and can see where Jesus was chasing after me, giving me a second chance when I was running away. This characteristic of Jesus was really evident when I heard the story of Jesus healing the blind man in John 9 in a recent church service (you should read it). I had heard the story before, but never truly put myself in the shoes of the healed man.
I can imagine the man who was healed being so joyful and excited to live his life how he always wanted – with his sight! He was born blind, but now had all these opportunities to be with his friends and family and actually see them. This was short lived as he was kicked out of the synagogue for testifying to the fact that Jesus healed him from his blindness. He was probably confused and heartbroken to why he was separated from community when all he did was stand up for the truth. What sticks out to me, is that Jesus went and found the outcast man to give him what he really needed to be healed; the knowledge that Jesus is the son of God and our savior. Then the man, now with eternal sight, worshipped Jesus.
A lot of times, I live life with the mindset that following Jesus is going to fit my expectations. That I can follow Jesus without having to go through suffering or ridicule or loss. But that’s just not true. Just as the blind man was probably expectant and ready for an easier life, I sometimes live as though following Jesus will be easy. In reality, there will be times where it’s harder to stand up for God then it is to back down. Times where it’s easier to be quiet when I should speak up. Knowing that following Jesus won’t always be easy shouldn’t be scary though. The end of John 9 brings reassurance and hope. Jesus doesn’t leave us alone in our hurt or confusion. He chases after us and finds us when we are lost. He reminds us of who He is – our savior. There’s comfort in the eternal mindset that God is with us forever and always. I go through life too often not noticing or feeling God until after I look back on my past and see that He was there with me the whole time.
God is good, and he knows what is best for us. He doesn’t let us wander along on our own, He redeems us and delivers us from the world. Praise God that his steadfast love looks past our failures and mistakes to bring us back into his goodness.
