Do you always check your blind spot when shifting lanes in a busy highway? It’s essential for a safe journey!
Cory Stout shared this week about the importance of being aware of the blind spots in our lives. One of the problems with trying to “have it all” is that our focus on getting all we want creates ‘blind spots.’ For example, have you ever noticed how the busyness of ‘making a living’ prevents us from really seeing the suffering of others? This week alone, Christians in Iran were jailed simply for praying in their own home. Children in Syria are orphaned in a war torn country. Every minute, children die of hunger throughout much of the world and millions eek out an existence without access to clean water. Even in your own neighborhood, people are lonely, tired, sick, needing encouragement.
Sometimes blind spots in my life keep me from seeing opportunities God gives me to relate with others. When this happens, others miss out and I miss out too because blessings always travel two way streets.
One blind spot in my life is keeping too busy. Doing lots of things, even good things, sometimes blinds us from doing the one right thing for the moment. It also robs us of the opportunity to do nothing for a moment and practice the art of human BEing.
Another blind spot that I have to watch out for is selfishness, the allurement of wrapping my life around me. Yes, we need time to ourselves to think, process, and relax. But when this becomes the filter through which we view much of life it creates a blind spot that prevents us from seeing others around us and from seeing God at work in our lives.
Another blind spot is the idea that I can’t really do much to help a situation. The war in Syria, gang rapes in India, world poverty and hunger. . . what can I do? I can do one thing. I can spend less at the vending machine and easily sponsor a child through Compassion International. (www.compassion.com) I can commit time to pray specifically for one or more of these situations every day. I could reduce my own water bill by cutting waste and send a monthly donation to World Vision (www.worldvision.org) to bring safe drinking water to others around the world or save one girl from a life of exploitation.
Blind spots don’t have to blind us. They can be opportunities for living a more fulfilling life…of really having it all. What one thing could you do each day or each week to check the blind spots in your life?
This was a timely post as our prayer group tonight prayed for a dear friend who’s 21 year old son was killed in a collision with a drunk driver. Grief can be a blind spot, too. It is so easy to say “Where was God when this young life was taken?” Our hearts are broken for our loss…yet, we know Carson loved Jesus with passion and abandon…and now he loves Him perfectly. I know that God is big enough to handle the hurt, anger, grief and loss and take us through the valley…I pray that as God soothes each broken heart and life, we will see His love which overcomes and covers over every other circumstance and shines brightly into these blind spots in our lives. Love you!!
Jane, our prayers are with you and your friends in this difficult time. You are absolutely right. Grief can be a dangerous blind spot. Thank you for you comments which add depth and light to mine.