José Saramago, a Portuguese writer once remarked: “Why did we become blind? I don't know, perhaps one day we'll find out. Do you want me to tell you what I think? Yes, do. I don't think we did go blind, I think we are blind, blind but seeing. Blind people who can see, but do not see.” Matthew 15:14 reminds us: Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Blindness is defined in its primary interpretation as the condition of becoming sightless due to injury, disease, or a congenital condition. Equally, it may be deemed as an individual’s lack of perception, awareness or judgment. Sight is considered one of the five fundamental senses. It has great significance in so much that it allows one to view and appreciate the natural beauty of the world in all its glory and magnificence. It steers a complicated process of navigation and encourages a positive footing in the surrounding conditions.
For those who suffer from its physical impairment, life can often become a struggle. Touch may have to replace the ease and clarity that perhaps once existed, and caution prevails in every forward movement. Sight is a sense that may form an understanding or appreciation, but if it is diminished or lost completely, then the structure of life not only becomes a perceived loss of freedom, but one grounded in inhibitions. The importance and reliance of other senses become heightened, with more trust and dependence to replenish the profound inescapable loss. In some cases, blindness can unfortunately originate from birth. However, God can become the freedom in its cecity.
Other possible infractions can cause a sense of loneliness and isolation to emerge. A person may become engrossed in an insular personal world that is one of darkness with no hope of light. The future becomes bleak with anxieties and a depressive outlook on life. However, if we seek God’s help in these troubled times, then He can lead or shine the necessary illumination into the life of the afflicted to evolve not only new hope, but possibly restore sight. Luke 18:35-43 reminds us: “As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.”
Perception is an intricate aspect of life. It allows the ability to interpret and understand sometimes elusive information that may be concealed or not visibly apparent, It reinforces the potential to see and interpret what can’t be seen by the naked eye. This is gleaned from complex situations, which permit a realistic reasoning to emerge and identify, making sense of the world about us. It elucidates circumstances, guides, and interacts with the surroundings by assigning meaning to the stimuli received through the senses. Fundamentally, it could significantly influence the personal desires of life. Knowledge and aspirations are often said to affect perception.
According to scientific research, human acumen may be attuned to the principles of moral reasoning. Moreover, it creates an awareness that even though it is permissible to appreciate and enjoy the lesser things in life, these should never be allowed to become the primary focus. If our first love concentrates on unnecessary personal desires, there is little room left for the love of God. 1 John 2:15-17 reminds us: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Although sight itself does not require faith, it is based on physical perception. There is a tendency by some, to only see what one wants to see and thus, may disregard other pertinent factors, even though they are clearly visible. However, faith is important in our perception of God. Faith is a belief in something unseen, and in a spiritual context, like machinery in a factory it requires a degree of dependency. If machinery stops working then an element of blindness may result as one can’t usually see where the offending fault lies. One may close their eyes and walk away, but that does not cure the problem. It usually has to be repaired by a qualified tradesman, or it will never work as it should. Such is life, if we close our eyes to the sins of the world, we deceive and blind ourselves of immoral truth.
God could equate to that necessary qualified tradesman as He can restore life and provide light in its darkness. Isaiah 42:16 confirms: “And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.” While not every blind person needs help for all situations, many may require assistance with more difficult tasks due to their visual impairment. Wikipedia states that “Muhammad” was an Arab religious and political leader and the founder of Islam. According to Islam, he was a prophet who was divinely inspired to preach and confirm the monotheistic teachings of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets. One of his pertinent remarks reminds us: “There are many doors to goodness. (Saying) 'glory to God,' 'praise be to God,' 'there is no deity but God,' enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf (until you understand them), leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of one's legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, and supporting the weak with the strength of one's arms - all of these are (forms of) charity prescribed for you.”
Freedom in blindness could correlate to having faith and trust in God. Jesus is known not only to have cured the blind but to have led them in their darkness. Mark 8:22-26 reminds us: “And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” The parables of Christ are not only identifiable everyday stories that involve the complexities or hidden immoral deeds that may be blinded or difficult to understand for many. They are designed to simplify and explain the real hidden truths. Without understanding, one will always walk empty-handed in darkness without the benefit of perception to clarify. We need the light of Christ to open our eyes, illuminate surroundings, remove the blindness that is so often prevalent, and provide a clarity of vision that guides with sure-footedness of mind. Matthew 13:13-16 reminds us: “This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.”
Amen.
