As He was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples questioned Him: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? ” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered. “This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him.” (John 9:1-3)

The end is drawing near for VBS. We have spent the better part of a week diving deep into some powerful truths about our rescuer, Jesus. On the second to last day of this incredible week, we get to see a glimpse of three very important truths: 1. We are seen by Jesus. 2. Through Jesus, we are restored. 3. We are redeemed and restored to live a life that brings glory to the Father in heaven.

You did not choose Me, but I chose you. (John 15:16)

On day 4, we found ourselves in the midst of the story where the blind man met Jesus. One of my favorite parts of this story, is found in the first sentence. Read this part again, “He saw a man blind from birth.” Did you catch that? He saw the one who could not yet see Him. How true that is for all of us. Where we were all once blind to Jesus, He already had seen and loved us. I can’t help but letting those words circulate over and over in my mind, until the comprehension of those words flow fully into my soul. Yes, where we once were bound by the dark, He sought us out to pour into us His light.

After He said these things He spit on the ground, made some mud from the saliva, and spread the mud on his eyes. “Go,” He told him, “wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he left, washed, and came back seeing.” (John 9:6-7)

He sought us and chose us for redemption; He chose us for our good and His glory. Yet, even still, the choice is ours to make. The blind man chose to wash the mud from his eyes, so that he may receive the gift of sight. We also choose. Do we accept the gift Jesus is offering to us or do we let the mud dry hard and refuse to go to the water that can rinse away the dark? Like the blind man in our story, may we take Jesus at His word and trust Him as we open our hands and reach for the water of restoration He offers us through His sacrifice and His victory. Let us rise from the shadows of the dark and into His perfect light.

I will say to the north: Give them up! and to the south: Do not hold them back! Bring My sons from far away, and My daughters from the ends of the earth — everyone called by My name and created for My glory. I have formed him; indeed, I have made him.” (Isaiah 43:6-7)

The part we really focused on, was this key truth: Our purpose is known to Jesus. If you notice in the last sentence of verse three in John chapter 9, we see these words, “This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him.”  Those resting in the redemption of Jesus are for His glory. This should bring us to a place of peace and contentment as we look to where we should go and what we should be doing with our lives. If we are to live a life to bring Him glory, then, in all things, we seek to accomplish that goal. Once we have determined our goal, our purpose becomes that much more clear. The question arises, are God’s works displayed in me? Am I, soul rescued and restored, following the footsteps of the blind man who used his healing to glorify God and point others to Jesus?

Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up.         (2 Corinthians 4:1)

Well, the last few minutes of the day are waning as I finish up this post. One more day is left in this week of VBS. Natural human weariness has found its way into this latter part of the week. A week full of fun and learning is beginning to take its toll on participants and teachers alike. But, not of our own strength, we finish strong. I will lie my head down tonight with a prayer of fortitude. I will rise with the same prayer on my lips. I am encouraged by the kingdom work happening in the hearts of lives young and old alike. The beauty and power of the gospel message is being heard by many. Our job is to be faithful to the work of pointing blind and broken to Healer. We do so with a smile on our lips, because it is not for our own well-being and happiness, but for the honor of loving little lives through the heart of Jesus and pointing them to His goodness; We do so for the glory of our God and King.