Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

As he 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?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work 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.”  Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.” (John 9:1–8)

Imagine for a second you were the man born blind, hearing people approach, hearing them talk about you, as if you were not there. It was probably not the first time. And then he was noticed, really noticed -- as a person, by Jesus. He heard Jesus say that his blindness happened so that God's work might be displayed in his life. That must have been a confusing, even frustrating thing to hear. And then the story got weirder, Jesus spit, made mud, put it on the man's eyes and told him to wash. He did, and he could see. His life was never the same after his encounter with Jesus. 

On Sunday, we said that part of stepping out and joining Jesus in the loves of people with special needs (any people with need for that matter) is learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Do you think the blind man was uncomfortable with spit mud being put on his eyes? Do you think the disciples were uncomfortable watching? Jesus was most likely the only one who was comfortable, the one who acted, the one who healed, the one who brought light to this man. When we choose to step, with Jesus, into the areas that are not in our comfort zone, our trust and love of Jesus deepens. We are all trained by our world to look out for our comfort and to avoid situations and settings that are not in our comfort zone. Yet that is exactly where we will often meet God. 

Is there an area where you feel uncomfortable, but where you also feel God is? What would it take for you to become comfortable with being uncomfortable? Jesus has noticed you. Jesus knows the place and is willing to go their with you. It might just be the place where you meet God in a powerful way. 

Share your thoughts with me, and others. 

Peace, hope and love

Doug

P.S. Several of you asked for a link to the video we showed on Sunday. You can see it here.