Not MY Fault!

As Jesus went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him,
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
-John 9:1-2

Who is to blame?  Why did this happen?  These are the questions asked when tragedy strikes.  We often ask these questions in an attempt to protect ourselves from the same fate.  If I know what caused it, I can take precautions to protect myself and my family.  It won’t happen to us!  It won’t be MY fault!

Jesus tells the disciples, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.  As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.  While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:3-5)

God will be glorified, even in this tragic and unfair situation.  God will work through this.  Are we open to the work of God in the midst of what feels like a curse?  It is never easy to accept the hard things this world and this life hands to us.  Later in John’s Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples, “In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  Jesus makes some mud, places it on the man’s eyes and tells him to go wash.  The blind man is healed.  God is glorified.

What in your life is causing you to question God’s love?  What situation feels like a curse rather than an opportunity to see God at work?  May we shift from trying to place blame in a situation – to asking God to open our eyes to opportunity for God’s glory.

God, we confess that we like to think we know you, while what we really know is who we want you to be.  We often think we have the answers, that we know best, even as you show us a still more excellent way. Open our eyes and our ears to know you as you are, and lead us, Lord, so we walk your way on any road we travel. Amen.