Saturday, May 3, 2008

You're Asking the Wrong Question

1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. (John 9:1-3, NIV)

Sabrina and I have been reading through her Bible storybook and we got to this story tonight. Later on, I was meditating about being born a particular way just to display God's glory. I realized then that we have all been born to display God's glory in some way. Even Nicholas and Olivia.

The Message puts an interesting spin on it:

1-2 Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?" 3 Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.

Jesus reminds us that we are asking the wrong questions. We need to know that we are not defined by our circumstances, but are to look toward what God can do in and through them. I love thinking about my Nicholas and Olivia being created just to display God's glory.

4 comments:

Hannah said...

Once again, you have found a way of putting into words some of the things that are only beginning to take shape in my mind. A few weeks ago Kenzie Stanfield (re)posted a piece called "Lord, give me the wisdom not to waste all of this." That piece and this one are helping me to begin seeing Tabitha's life in the framework of bringing glory to God. And because of this, I think that Nicholas and Olivia are indeed fulfilling a part of THEIR glorious task!

mom_of_4 said...

Thanks, Hannah. I'm honored by your words.

Jenna said...

okay. i'm just coming over (from molly's blog) to let you know i think about you and your twins a LOT. i'm friends with molly and clicked on your blog awhile back. everything i can think to say right now doesn't quite capture the feeling, but i'll say this anyway. i'm amazed. simply amazed how God has carried you through this. you just seem like an incredible person before and after. blessings to you, dear one.

mom_of_4 said...

Wow, Jenna, I'm overwhelmed. Thank you.