The sun was casting a shadow through the canopy of leaves. Slivers of light fell onto the path in front of my feet. The leaves were brilliant—red, orange, and a yellow that shouted, “Look at me!”

I‘ve walked this path many times over the years. But this year, this year the leaves—I don’t remember them being this beautiful. I don’t remember them feeling this warm and comforting.

Had I missed it in prior years? Perhaps I had moved too quickly along the trail. Or maybe this year was different. Maybe this year I was different.

Priscilla Shirer, in her Bible study, Breathe – Making Room for Sabbath, discusses a condition called inattentional blindness, sometimes called perceptual blindness. She shares,

Inattentional blindness is the trick our own brains play on us – keeping us preoccupied with one thing while rendering us unaware and oblivious to another. So while we are concentrating somewhere else, another more critical action could be occurring within view, but without our conscious knowledge. Then, shocked and bewildered, we realize we missed something-or someone-who really deserved our full attention.

That is me.

I suffer from blindness that keeps my mind focused on things that seem important, that occupy my time, keep me driven, and distracted. But all the while, I fail to look up and see the beauty, the spectacular beauty that envelops my life.

I think we all can experience this same blindness, this same lack of attention when it comes to our relationship with Jesus. We keep Him at the fringe of our visual field, just close enough to check the box – faithful Christian. Yet, far enough out of sight to maintain our control.

In the book of John, Jesus heals a man who had been blind from birth. You may remember the story: Jesus spits on the ground, makes mud, and wipes it across the man’s eyes. He then instructs the man to go wash, and the man returns – his vision restored.

When questioned about his healing, the man said,

 “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”

John 9:25 New Living Translation (NLT)

This man was physically blind. We, at times, suffer from spiritual blindness.

But Jesus offers healing for both.

Inattentional blindness, taking our eyes off the most important, keeps us tripping, bumping into God’s will and our wants. It keeps us from fully enjoying the beauty of our journey and appreciating the richness of true intimacy with God.

Priscilla again reminds us,

“… bring to the center stage of our minds and hearts the Person (Jesus) who we have placed at the periphery for too long.”

Breathe

Jesus brings healing. He restores our sight, allowing us to experience the full beauty of His love, His grace, His creation.

Dear Sisters, as you celebrate Thanksgiving and enter into this beautiful holiday season, please don’t allow your attention to be diverted from the One who brings clarity of sight. The One who heals our blindness, aligns our priorities, and restores our purpose.

I once was blind but now –

I am forgiven,

I am healed,

I am free.

Blessings,