Key scripture – “‘It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,’ Jesus answered. ‘This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.’” (John 9:3 NLT).

Have you ever wondered why God allows you to suffer? Do you wonder, was it something I did wrong? Or was it someone else’s fault?

Our tendency is we want to find someone to blame, especially when so much bad happens in our world.

Jesus’ disciples had these same questions, and John chapter 9 records Jesus’ interesting response.

Jesus and His disciples were walking through the streets of a city when they encountered a blind man. One of the disciples asked Jesus why the man was blind: “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. ‘Rabbi,’ his disciples asked him, ‘why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?’” (John 9:1-2, NLT)

Jesus lovingly put their confusion to rest with today’s key verse, “‘It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,’ Jesus answered. ‘This happened so the power of God could be seen in him’” (John 9:3).

After Jesus said that, I imagine the disciples probably stood there, looking perplexed and probably thinking, “How could this man’s blindness display the power of God? How could this physical infirmity bring glory to God? How could his life serve a higher purpose?”

The passage continues, “Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, ‘Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam’ (Siloam means ‘sent’). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!” (John 9:6-7, NLT)

The blind man’s sight was completely healed by Jesus, but notice that his healing wasn’t immediate. He wasn’t healed when Jesus spat on the mud and smeared it on his eyes, but only after he obeyed what Jesus instructed him to do.

The blind man was healed when he chose to obey the command of Jesus to “go.” Without questioning or hesitating, the man went and his obedience resulted in not only healing, but discovering a holy purpose from his pain.

Like many, this man had been suffering with undeserved physical and emotional challenges for decades. He may have lived his entire life feeling inferior, unloved, rejected, excluded and possibly believing he had no purpose. He may have also assumed his past and his current limitations rendered him useless. After all, he didn’t have any special skills or qualifications or even eyesight.

But here stood Jesus, telling everyone this man’s life could serve as proof of the power of God. But it only happened because of obedience.

Unlike the blind man in this story, we often talk ourselves out of obedience, rather than just trusting and obeying God’s command to “go.” But when we walk in faith, even when we don’t feel ready and we have to push through our doubts; even when we do not understand what God is doing; even when God tells us to do something that does not make sense; even when we are full of fears and hesitation, true healing and purpose can only begin to take shape in our hearts and lives when we step out in faith.

We don’t always get answers to why something happened. But regardless of our circumstances or our limitations, when we choose to take a leap of faith, we too can experience true spiritual healing and see a new perspective about our past for the very first time.

What a wonderful world this would be if we all could catch a glimpse of how God wants to turn our pain into purpose and use our lives as proof of His power.

“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:3-6).

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I want my life to serve as proof of Your goodness. Show me how to put feet to my faith especially in my pain. You don’t want to hear us just talk about faith, but to walk in faith. Our acts of faith speak louder than anything that we say and that is why, “I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.” (Psalm 119:60, NIV). Fill me with courage and the motivation to go and share with others what You have done for me. Show me how You can turn my pain into purpose and make my life count for You, because I “know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT). Give me the strength and wisdom to obey Your statutes and your precepts, for all my ways are known to you. (Psalm 119:167-168). Use all my circumstances and my life to show proof of Your power, Your goodness, and Your love. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.