December 8 - Saul & Jesus

Read: Acts 9:1-19

And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4 ESV)

Saul was on his way to arrest Christians in Damascus. He was hoping to stop the followers of Jesus from spreading their message beyond Jerusalem. But everything changed for him when Jesus intervened.

A blinding light stopped him in tracks. And Jesus Christ spoke to the young Pharisee, charging him with carrying on the very same message he had set out to destroy. Saul was blinded by the light, but carried out the instructions of The Lord and was healed.

Saul's conversion story is incredible. He had an amazing encounter with Jesus—someone whom Saul believed to be dead. But the risen Christ appeared to Saul on the road. And though his journey took him to the same destination his course was forever changed the day that Saul encountered the powerful truth of Jesus.

August 9 - Blind Guides

Matthew 23:13-22

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? (Matthew 23:16, 17 ESV)

Jesus let the scribes have it. He was tired of those guys. They had completely missed the point of their calling. In a lengthy speech he warned them using strongly condemning language. Pointing out their various grievous flaws he moved from area to area of their arrogant and corrupt practices. Their priorities were so out of balance and Jesus held nothing back.

Jesus had come to heal the blind and set the captive free, but many of the Pharisees had rejected Christ. They didn't realize that not all sight refers to eyes, not all vision is produced by eyes, and not all blindness is a physical ailment. The Pharisees and scribes were blind, their hearts were blind.

I can't really imagine trying to make it through this life without the ability to see. All I can imagine is darkness and uncertainty when I stop to consider blindness. And yet the Pharisees were willfully leading people into corruption. They were, as Jesus said, producing "sons of hell."

I am so glad that the love of Christ at work in my life brings with it a heathy perspective. But even so, I still find myself reeling from blind spots. That is why it is really important to surround yourself with really honest and aware people that will let you know when you stray off target.

July 19 - Blind Guides

Matthew 15:10-20

Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:14 ESV)

Leading people is not an easy task. It involves great risk, responsibility, and repercussions. To lead well requires incredible selflessness and dedication to those in your charge. It also requires understanding, an open mind, and vision. The Pharisees in Jesus' time were struggling with their leadership roles.

By the time Jesus was born the Jewish religious system had become so corrupt that for many it was a stumbling block. Those charged with escorting the people to the Father were failing in their mission. They were blinded by their assumptions and arrogance. Their willfulness to embrace arrogant ignorance kept them from enjoying the reality of God incarnate, Jesus. In fact, it lead to great animosity and even murder.

If you want to lead people, you need to be able to see. You need to see with clarity, compassion, and character. Have the faith seek the truth about your leadership successes and failures. Find people that will tell you e loving and honest truth, so that you will have clarity. See people compassionately, as Jesus saw them. People are problems to fix, or riddles to solve. They are lives. They are souls. They are precious. Learn to lead with compassionate vision that cares more about the person than the plan. Learn to live and lead with character. That means a consistency of action and desire that is the same every day.

Seeing with clarity, compassion, and character will help, but its not a guarantee. Pray for help. Lead selflessly. And try to avoid blind spots. This world doesn't need anymore blind guides.