How can we be "eyes to the blind" in our community today? Setting the Scene: Job’s Heart for the Helpless “ I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.” — Job 29:15 Job recalls a season when his life radiated God-given compassion. His words carry a literal sense—he actually guided the sightless and supported the crippled—and a broader principle: God’s people step in where others lack ability, perspective, or hope. The Call Applied Today Blindness appears in more forms than physical loss of sight. Scripture recognizes this fuller picture: • Physical: John 9:1-7 shows Jesus restoring literal vision. • Spiritual: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4). • Moral/Social: “Woe to those…who are wise in their own eyes” (Isaiah 5:21). Whether the impairment is medical, moral, or mental, Christ’s followers are summoned to illuminate the darkness (Matthew 5:16). Practical Steps to Be Eyes to the Blind 1. Provide tangible assistance to the physically blind • Offer transportation, read mail, or help navigate technology. • Support ministries that supply Braille Bibles or audio Scripture. • Advocate for accessible church facilities so no one is hindered from worship. 2. Illuminate spiritual darkness • Share the gospel plainly, trusting that “God…has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:6). • Lead Bible studies, discipling new believers step by step. • Live transparently; personal testimony often opens sightless eyes. 3. Clarify confusing paths in everyday life • Mentor teens facing moral fog: career choices, sexual purity, digital pitfalls. • Guide widows, immigrants, or the elderly through paperwork and services. • Use professional skills (legal, financial, medical) pro bono for those who cannot navigate complex systems. 4. Stand against injustice that blinds society • Speak truth when culture normalizes sin (Proverbs 31:8-9). • Support crisis-pregnancy centers, addiction recovery, and anti-trafficking efforts—places where deception keeps people in darkness. • Vote and advocate for laws that reflect God’s righteousness. 5. Equip the church to see needs first • Create a needs-assessment team that regularly surveys the congregation and community. • Offer training on disability awareness and compassionate listening. • Celebrate testimonies of sight restored—physical or spiritual—to cultivate a seeing culture. Guarding the Motives Jesus warns, “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1). Serve quietly, seeking God’s approval, lest pride blind the helper. Promised Blessings for Those Who See and Serve • “Blessed is he who considers the weak; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble” (Psalm 41:1). • “Those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3). • Obedience brings the joy of partnering with Christ, the True Light (John 8:12). Job’s legacy becomes ours when we choose to notice, step toward, and guide those still groping in darkness. By God’s grace, we can be eyes to the blind—literally and figuratively—right where we live. |
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