Blind Spots

A place you cannot see; your view is obstructed; an area your understanding or knowledge is weak – sometimes because we are unwilling to try – Cambridge definitions

Jesus warns us about two examples of blind spots and these bible verses will be familiar to us.

“And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” Luke 6:41-42

How often do we read that verse and put ourselves in the position of the brother with the speck in our eye rather than the one with the log? I know I have. You’d think a log would be pretty obvious but that’s the point of a “blind spot”. We just don’t see the log. We’re blinded to it. It’s dangerous. Not just for us but to those we affect because we aren’t aware of the log.

Jesus also pointed out blind spots to one of the churches in Revelation.

In our bibles, it is often noted that this is a “lukewarm” church – neither hot or cold. One of the definitions of a “blind spot’ is an area or subject that we are weak in because we can’t be bothered to apply ourselves to understanding or learning. That sounds a lot like apathy.

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent”. Revelation 3 14-19

We can read these verses and again fail to see that we could be this lukewarm church or in fact any of the churches that Jesus rebukes.

I have my blind spots and I too need Jesus’ eye salve to anoint the eyes of my heart that I can see clearly. Holy Spirit what are you saying to me in these things. May I see and hear clearly. Remove the obstacles Lord.

As I have meditated on these things I wrote the following, it might help you too if this post has struck a chord with you.

There are blind spots in your heart. These are spots that you do not see or want to see. They are the stains of hurts, stains of pain and anguish. Buried deep in hearts. Spots of sorrow and grief, spots of anger, spots of pride, rejection and bitterness. Blinded to them, Blinded by them. They are your blind spots.

Blind spots need to be BEHIND spots. Things to put behind you; forgetting the past and straining forward towards the high prize in Christ Jesus – the hope of glory.

Blind spots become BIND spots. They bind your thoughts. They bind your behaviours. They bind your hearts. They bind your minds. They are blind spots to the TRUTH.

Uncover the blind spots. Seek the blind spots and open the eyes of your heart to the truth. Open the eyes of your heart to grace, mercy and righteousness; to love in all its fulness. Then the love spots of your heart to overflow in love.

May the grace of God, the knowledge of the Son grow in us more and more. May we be blinded by the light of His glory, blinded by the light of His grace, Blinded by the light of His mercy.

Blinded by His light..the light of the world. The bright morning star.

Blinded by the light of His glory. Amen