I have worn glasses since I was in second grade. They have always been a part of my daily attire, but even with them, I still struggle to see because all of us see the world with broken eyes. The brokenness in all of us came as a result of the fall in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. “Shalom” was broken. The word, “shalom” in Hebrew has such depth of meaning and in the Garden of Eden, it was a wholeness, harmony, completeness that was broken.

There is a story in Luke’s gospel about a blind beggar who receives his sight.

Luke 18:35-43

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He cried out, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

As I read this recently I was moved afresh by the words: Jesus stopped. Jesus stops for us. When we cry out to him, He stops. He invites us to come near. His gentle and loving voice asks each of us “What do you want me to do for you?” Ponder that scene for a moment. Jesus stopping and asking you that question. How would you answer it?

As I have sat with the Lord in this passage, I cried out like the blind beggar, “Lord, have mercy on me,” and just like the blind beggar, I have said, “Lord, I want to see!” Because I tend to notice what’s wrong before I notice what is good. I tend to see with my broken eyes first, rather than with my spiritual eyes.

I tend to lose focus and this causes me to miss all that God has for me. “Lord, I want to see with spiritual eyes!” Jesus stopped and I asked him for eyes to see the goodness around me. The goodness in the midst of the problems. He answered my prayer just a few days ago, not just once but multiple times and gave me more than what I asked him for. He gave me eyes to see and not just that, he gave me ears to ear, a heart open to receive, and love to share. He gives more grace. (James 4:6) Two of my encounters stand out and I pray that they encourage you in some way to be bold and ask for what you need.

One of my encounters was with a young woman who came over to my table at the coffee shop and asked me how I got started leading Bible studies. Over the course of the next two hours, we shared stories, we shared about our love for God and His Word, we encouraged one another, we cried, and we prayed. The goodness of our God to arrange such a sweet surprise that day. It was an opportunity to see someone else as an invitation to connection and hear about their life in Jesus. I now have a new beautiful sister in Christ.

Another encounter was with three women I already know who showed me by their actions and attitudes what it looks like to persevere in the midst of problems, to extend the gift of invitation, and to remain faithful and hopeful in all things.

We may have broken eyes, but we have a God who offers us spiritual sight. Eyes to see what He sees. Eyes that see with compassion, love, grace, and mercy. Not only that, He offers us spiritual ears to hear, a new heart, a new spirit, and new life In Christ. Jesus stops for you and for me. May we be those who stop for others, seeing them with our spiritual eyes, and offer to them all that God has freely offered to us.

~ Jennifer Thomas