It's Stacy back with you again today!
How’s Week 2 going so far? Great, I hope! If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the readings and homework, though, I want you to stop, take a deep breath and say this with me: “If I don’t get it all done, IT’S OK!” And it is! Just do what you can, and leave the rest for another time. Deal?
Now, I couldn’t wait for today to roll around so I could share with you my favorite thing from this week’s material. We don’t know where you are in your study and you may not have reached Day 4 yet but something really stuck out to me that I wanted to share with you. It’s one seemingly simple question proposed in Week 2, Day 4’s reading (page 59): WHY?
"Why" is a question I’ve asked many times and wondered about even more. I’m betting I’m not alone in this!
The disciples were caught up in this question too. We read about it in John 9:1-5. It’s at this point in Scripture where Jesus and His disciples came upon a blind man. The disciples wanted to know WHY the man was blind. Had his parents sinned in such a way that he had to bear the punishment? Was the man’s own sin too great for him to be left physically unscathed?
Neither one, according to Jesus. In fact, He said the man’s blindness was “so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (v. 3) Say WHAT?!
When the question “Why?” is rolling around in my brain, I don’t usually stop to think about it like that. But what if the answer to my “Why” is SO THAT the works of God might be displayed in ME?
What if that’s the answer to YOUR “Why” too? So that God's work might be displayed. Even – and especially – when we're facing some of life's most difficult circumstances.
Um, whoa. #PerspectiveChanger
I won’t give away the rest of the story because it’s covered in Day 4’s reading, but I WILL leave you with these words from Jesus:
“I AM the light of the world.” John 8:12 (NIV)
And THAT is the light we are always meant to shine, even in our whys!
Shine brightly, friends!
P.S. Don't forget to download your Study Companion for additional resources.
Download Now
Reflect and Respond:
The answer to some of our "Why" questions may be SO THAT God's light is on display. How does knowing that change your perspective?