VisionThe accident was horrendous. The valve blew at about 1,000 psi of hydraulic pressure, sending acid and sand all over everyone within about 100 yards of the truck. The acid burned quickly through uniforms and fire suits meant to inhibit its progress. All of the men on the location were running for water cans and soda to stem the effects of the acid. One of us though was completely still and sobbing. In spite of safety glasses meant to prevent it, acid was in his eyes and he could not see to find his way to water. When we finally noted him, we hurried to get him relief with what we had left. Over the course of several days, we learned that he was blinded by the accident, but not permanently. He would recover about 80% of his vision, vision that did not have to be lost, lost because someone did not see what they had done incorrectly in repairing equipment. All of us that day talked in hushed tones, but we agreed that becoming blind would have to be the worst experience we could imagine.Whether we think of them as the windows of our souls or not, our eyes and what they see are wonderfully important. See-ers interpret so much of their world through what they see. Regardless of what other senses may do to compensate for those without sight, life would not be the same without the ability to see. In high school, I ate lunch at a table with friends and fellow athletes, as well as one young man who was going through high school without his eyesight. He was born blind, but all of us knew we could trust all of his other senses to tell us things we waited for our eyes to see. Once, a fight broke out in the cafeteria, one that he had said was going to happen several minutes before. ”There’s about to be a fight, I can hear the words and feel the anger.” From down the other end of the caf they came, locked in combat minutes after he had said it would. We, never saw it comin’.There are a lot of references to blindness and sight in the gospels about Jesus. Jesus heals those who are blind, but always seems to do so as a way to call attention to the power and love of God. The healings also call attention to those whose lives are centered in staying focused on what they know. All the while Jesus is calling them to see things they would rather not, and to give honor to the paradigm shift God is asking them to make. Blindness, it seems, goes far beyond what we see with our eyes. For Jesus, it would be better to lose one’s sight, than it would be to walk in the darkness of legalism, rejection by speculation, and insular habits that keep us from hearing the challenges God lays before us.What are you seeing lately that disturbs your Christian sensibilities? It may be the Spirit of God calling you to open the eyes of your heart, not just your head. See you this weekend, where we will see the presence of Him in the sacrament of Holy Communion, and hear His call to be Him in and for the world.Pastor Mark |
New Classes Start this Wednesday! Be sure and sign up for classes. Reservations are required for the fellowship meal.
One more week until the best shopping in West El Paso! Get your shopping lists ready!!!
Don’t forget to bake those special baked good to donate to the UMW Bake sale!
Drop off for Grandma’s Attic begins this Sunday at noon!
Bins are in the Narthex! Bring a blanket this Sunday!
We will be honoring several members this week -please stop by to tie a knot.
Flu Shots are $30 and pneumonia shots are $50
You’ll be hearing more about The Pride Center, soon. This is our first opportunity to help make a difference there.
