Yep, you heard right. You can't read this yourself. For the full effect of this blog, I want you to try something
different.
different.
Instead of reading this with your own eyes,
grab someone near you and have them read it to you as your eyes are shut….
Ready?
Okay. Now, imagine this mental picture:
It is the end of July, the middle of winter season in Peitermaritsburg, South Africa. I’m sitting on a wooden bench in a soccer field, overlooking a breath taking landscape of rolling hills and colorful sectioned fields of sugar cane, corn, and more. I can see the fog of my breath disappear in the crisp, morning air as my hands cling to a warm, white mug of hot coffee. There are birds flying in flocks across the clear, pale blue sky. I look down at myself and am wearing a black North Face jacket, blue jeans, and red TOMS shoes. I hear an obnoxious sound behind me, and turn around to view a donkey making its appearance loudly known as it struts across the field.
Detailed descriptions are helpful for many reasons-
giving directions, talking on the phone, writing an email, teaching a subject, etc.
Without them, welose sight of the clear, entire picture.
giving directions, talking on the phone, writing an email, teaching a subject, etc.
Without them, we
But here’s a question…
What if you woke up one day and lost your ability to SEE?
Or taking it a step further,
What if you were born blind, or partially sighted, and that’s what was normal?
To be unable to differentiate the contrast of color.
To not know what your family’s faces looked like.
Or even what YOU looked like.
As your eyes scan this page, it’s evident you have your sight. If you’re listening to this blog, you’re getting a small taste of a blind person’s perspective. For something so simple as having your sight, I often forget the countless people in the world lack this simple ability, or rather, a privilege to SEE.
For the past three weeks, I have been partnering with Higher Ground, a camp for people with various disabilities. During each week session, the campers receive chances to experience new & fun activities (obstacle courses, swimming, playing sports, scavenger hunts, talent shows, etc.), meet new friends similar to them, and most importantly learn about God’s love for them.
Our first camp session was geared towards teenagers with partial sight ability or none at all. I was not sure what to expect, never having worked with blind people. Prior to our campers’ arrival, my teammates and I were trained and even had an opportunity to walk in their shoes by being blindfolded for 20 minutes. This activity alone was difficult for me. I couldn’t imagine not ever having my eyesight, not having an option of removing my blindfold at any moment to see again.
Throughout our first week’s session, my perspective immediately shifted in the way I viewed blind people. I’ve realized they are just like me. They just need extra help at times, and a little guidance. I couldn’t believe how quickly they caught on to things, and how normal their lives are. In fact, their strength and perseverance far surpasses my own in how they’ve endured through hardships. Victory outweighs defeat in their lives as they’ve grown accustomed to life without sight.
One day I asked one of our girls, Priscilla, [with a beautiful singing voice and unshakable faith] if she’d like to see one day, if God would heal her.
Her response was,
“Many people have prayed healing over me to regain my sight. I know that God can and will someday. But maybe God created me blind to have a different perspective on life, to help others live out His strength in a way I could not do otherwise.”
These powerful words penetrated my mind and still sink in to the fullness of their meaning. I know God is supreme and fully capable of healing ALL. Yet, there are still countless people in this world who have not received His healing touch. At least, in the physical sense. I don’t know why that is. But I do know that at this present time He is using people like Priscilla to empower and encourage others to persevere and SEE God through a different pair of eyes.
What if you woke up one day and lost your ability to SEE?
Or taking it a step further,
What if you were born blind, or partially sighted, and that’s what was normal?
To be unable to differentiate the contrast of color.
To not know what your family’s faces looked like.
Or even what YOU looked like.
As your eyes scan this page, it’s evident you have your sight. If you’re listening to this blog, you’re getting a small taste of a blind person’s perspective. For something so simple as having your sight, I often forget the countless people in the world lack this simple ability, or rather, a privilege to SEE.
For the past three weeks, I have been partnering with Higher Ground, a camp for people with various disabilities. During each week session, the campers receive chances to experience new & fun activities (obstacle courses, swimming, playing sports, scavenger hunts, talent shows, etc.), meet new friends similar to them, and most importantly learn about God’s love for them.
Our first camp session was geared towards teenagers with partial sight ability or none at all. I was not sure what to expect, never having worked with blind people. Prior to our campers’ arrival, my teammates and I were trained and even had an opportunity to walk in their shoes by being blindfolded for 20 minutes. This activity alone was difficult for me. I couldn’t imagine not ever having my eyesight, not having an option of removing my blindfold at any moment to see again.
Throughout our first week’s session, my perspective immediately shifted in the way I viewed blind people. I’ve realized they are just like me. They just need extra help at times, and a little guidance. I couldn’t believe how quickly they caught on to things, and how normal their lives are. In fact, their strength and perseverance far surpasses my own in how they’ve endured through hardships. Victory outweighs defeat in their lives as they’ve grown accustomed to life without sight.
One day I asked one of our girls, Priscilla, [with a beautiful singing voice and unshakable faith] if she’d like to see one day, if God would heal her.
Her response was,
“Many people have prayed healing over me to regain my sight. I know that God can and will someday. But maybe God created me blind to have a different perspective on life, to help others live out His strength in a way I could not do otherwise.”
These powerful words penetrated my mind and still sink in to the fullness of their meaning. I know God is supreme and fully capable of healing ALL. Yet, there are still countless people in this world who have not received His healing touch. At least, in the physical sense. I don’t know why that is. But I do know that at this present time He is using people like Priscilla to empower and encourage others to persevere and SEE God through a different pair of eyes.
A pair that SEES His love, KNOWS His provision, and RELIES fully on the hope that is found
in receiving the love of Jesus.
