Shop
About
Posts
Joycast
Booking
Speaking
Write Brilliant
Contact

Why We Don’t See Clearly: Exposing Blind Spots

by | 61 comments

A few years ago I began to notice a pattern in my life. Namely that whenever I am getting to know someone new I will offer to drive us somewhere together—maybe to grab lunch or go run an errand, and the person will say Yes. The first time. That is also the last time.

The second time we go somewhere together, I’ll offer to drive and they’ll say, “No, no, no, I’ll drive.” I was fine with it, until I began to notice the pattern.

Namely, there’s something in my driving that made them not want to get in the car when I’m behind the wheel. I naturally began to wonder, “What’s wrong with my driving?”

The answer is, “A lot!”

First, I’m not the best with depth perception. If I look at an object in the distance, I’m never quite sure how far away it is. Is it five yards or fifteen? Hmm. Somewhere in between? Which is a problem when you’re driving a vehicle at high speeds. And explains why my friends only ride with me once.

But the second reason is that I’m not the most observant person. I’m a creative type. I tend to live in my head. Thinking. Dreaming. Imagining. Not always seeing what’s right in front of me. On more than one occasion, my hubster, Leif, and I will be walking down the side of the road and he’ll literally pull me out of the street, because I’ve wandered into traffic.

The flip side is there are other details I’ll notice that others don’t see. For example, sometimes I’ll go to the movies with friends and when we walk out of the theater everyone will be talking about how much they liked the film and I’ll ask, “Did you notice how in scene four, when the couple was at the restaurant, the girl’s water glass dropped three inches and she never took a sip?”

My friends will look at me, “Nope!” They never noticed. But they still won’t let me drive home. 

The fact is we all see things differently. We notice different details, and we all have blind spots—both physically and spiritually. [Tweet this]

Where are your blind spots? Where are the areas where you don’t see clearly? Or rather are there areas where someone has tried to expose a blind spot in your life and you’ve refused to listen?

May Jesus help open your eyes to any blind spots in your own life and in the process expose you to the beautiful work that he’s not only doing in your life but in the lives of others.

This week we dove into John 9-11.  You can catch up on this week, here.

FOR DISCUSSION: Answer the following questions as a comment to this blog post. Feel free to ask questions, reply to others’ comments, and post prayer requests.

1)     Like the blind man in John 9, we all have areas of our lives where we don’t see clearly. Our vision is blurred and we need Jesus to open our eyes and restore our vision so we can clearly see the beautiful work of God. How has your life been transformed by the light of Christ exposing the blind spots in your life?

2)     The seven “I AM” statements reveal Jesus’ identity, not only as the way to God but also as God. Each “I AM” statement reflects a motif from Judaism that challenges listeners to recognize who Jesus is and believe in him. What is your favorite “I AM” statement from the Gospel of John? Why?

LINK UP. Click HERE to link up your blog post on what God is revealing to you in His Word.

Join us on Monday as we begin Session 4: When Worship Costs More Than Expected (John 12-17). Click here to subscribe to the RSS feed and receive each day’s post in your inbox each morning.

Don’t miss out on the Midday Connection Podcast interview as we chat through session three at 12PM Central today. Click here, to subscribe to their podcast each week.

**

It’s not too late to join the online #SummerBibleStudy at MargaretFeinberg.com through John and Genesis. Click here to learn more.

61 Comments

  1. Margaret
    Margaret on June 20, 2013 at 10:52 am

    I think God is continuing to expose the areas where I’m not loving well or not submitting all of my heart to him. It’s certainly painful, but the result is worth it!

    My favorite “I AM” statement is definitely “I am the Good Shepherd.” After spending time with Lynne, the shepherdess, and her flock while researching Scouting the Divine, I was blown away by the parallels between a shepherd and God. You can read about it in Scouting the Divine: http://mar.cta.gs/077

  2. Birdie
    Birdie on June 20, 2013 at 11:22 am

    One way that God opened my eyes was my trip to Namibia, Africa last summer. He showed me so many things, people, culture, and a lot more that had I had been blind to. One think I have noticed was even though they have so little, they are very happy, contented people.

    My favorite I AM statement right now is I AM the Good Shepherd. I am being taken care of and given the things in need as a good shepherd does for his sheep. And I am very happy that no one will be able to snatch me out of His Hands.

  3. Margaret
    Margaret on June 20, 2013 at 11:33 am

    What you said reminds me of the passage in Philippians 4:11-12… what does it look like for us to be content in all circumstances?

    The Good Shepherd is such a beautiful picture of God’s intimate care for us!

  4. Melinda Y.
    Melinda Y. on June 21, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    God opened my eyes when I went on my first medical mission trip to Haiti in 2011. Made a world of difference, meeting physical needs, then seeing hope and healing of the Lord opening eyes of many who’ve been blinded spiritually.
    I spent most of my life in spiritual blindness. My eyes are still being trained. Spending time with God in prayer and reading His Word helps me see more clearly.
    Walking out my faith with people God placed in my life with more trained eyes teaches me to become more aware of blind spots.
    So grateful and appreciate your shepherd heart. Your writing really inspires and encourages.
    Thank you for this wonderful post!

  5. Margaret
    Margaret on June 21, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    Leif and I just returned from a trip to Kenya with Compassion. I can completely relate with what you learned in Haiti.

    My eyes are still being trained, too. Grateful for God’s willingness to pour out grace, even when we have big-ole blind spots some days. Hug to you, Melinda!

  6. Melinda Y.
    Melinda Y. on June 21, 2013 at 5:14 pm

    Hugs back, Margaret!

  7. Tara Lantieri
    Tara Lantieri on June 22, 2013 at 6:58 am

    1. The Lord has been revealing that I have a lot of blind spots when it comes to who (I think) He really is. At times it has been a real journey for me to trust in the truths of who the word reveals he is and at other times it’s been an immediate light, a blinding revelation…what I like to call an “ah ha” moment.
    2. One of those ah ha moments happened when processing through the good (excellent, beautiful) shepherd this week. I am grateful for the new understanding I have of what this means in my life. My note book has 2 pages chock full of statements now like: He calls me by name, He goes ahead of me, He is safe, He laid down his life for me, He knows me (cringe), He will search for, look after, recue, bring out, tend to me, bind up my injuries, strengthen my weaknesses, give peace, send showers of blessings…because of him I will be secure, on and on…AND THEN I WILL KNOW THAT HE IS MY GOD. AMEN

  8. Margaret
    Margaret on June 24, 2013 at 10:55 pm

    Tara, Thank you for sharing some of the things you wrote down about who God is in your life. Sometimes we just need a little reminder. Hug to you, friend!

  9. how to get taller at 18 male
    how to get taller at 18 male on May 17, 2014 at 3:37 am

    Hurrah, that’s what I was seeking for, what a
    material! present here at this webpage, thanks admin of this web site.

  10. Interspire Email Marketer and power mta setup only $ 88. Interspire Email Marketer + PowerMTA + SEO website Search engine optimisation improvement . 1. Multiple MTA (Mass Transfer Agent) 2. From ID & Signature Rotation 3. Subject Line Rotation 4. Feed
    Interspire Email Marketer and power mta setup only $ 88. Interspire Email Marketer + PowerMTA + SEO website Search engine optimisation improvement . 1. Multiple MTA (Mass Transfer Agent) 2. From ID & Signature Rotation 3. Subject Line Rotation 4. Feed on June 1, 2015 at 6:52 am

    Interspire Email Marketer and power mta setup only $ 88.

    Interspire Email Marketer + PowerMTA + SEO website Search engine optimisation improvement .

    1. Multiple MTA (Mass Transfer Agent)
    2. From ID & Signature Rotation
    3. Subject Line Rotation
    4. Feedback Loop
    5. Power MTA
    6. DKIM Setting
    7. SPF Settings.
    8. Ip Rotation

    $88 for Installation of both powermta4 + Interspire Email Marketer, You do not have to buy anything :
    )

    Contact me now or post here in thread ..

    Skype – jack.interspire
    Email : jackj2025@gmail.com

  11. cartier glasses frames
    cartier glasses frames on June 4, 2015 at 4:54 pm

    Hi every one, here every one is sharing such experience, so it’s
    pleasant to read this web site, and I used to pay a quick visit this
    blog everyday.

  13. JeromeLix
    JeromeLix on March 21, 2025 at 6:00 pm

    alo789hk: alo 789 dang nh?p – alo789 chinh th?c

  15. MonteKit
    MonteKit on March 24, 2025 at 5:24 am

    order medicines online india online pharmacy india india pharmacy without prescription

  34. Howardrop
    Howardrop on March 25, 2025 at 9:08 pm

    canadian pharmacy scam: Cheapest online pharmacy – best canadian pharmacy to order from

  40. Dwaynejures
    Dwaynejures on March 26, 2025 at 10:41 am

    TadalafilEasyBuy.com TadalafilEasyBuy.com TadalafilEasyBuy.com

  46. Williamheirl
    Williamheirl on March 26, 2025 at 8:12 pm

    Tadalafil Easy Buy: Tadalafil Easy Buy – Cialis 20mg price

  48. Williamheirl
    Williamheirl on March 27, 2025 at 2:53 am

    kamagra jelly kopen: kamagra pillen kopen – Officiele Kamagra van Nederland

  52. Williamheirl
    Williamheirl on March 27, 2025 at 2:16 pm

    best price for viagra 100mg: buy Viagra online – Generic 100mg Easy

  54. Dwaynejures
    Dwaynejures on March 27, 2025 at 7:28 pm

    Tadalafil Easy Buy Generic Cialis price Tadalafil Easy Buy

  57. Williamheirl
    Williamheirl on March 28, 2025 at 1:01 am

    kamagra 100mg kopen: Kamagra Kopen – kamagra kopen nederland

  61. Williamheirl
    Williamheirl on March 28, 2025 at 7:19 am

    buy generic 100mg viagra online: Generic100mgEasy – Cheapest Sildenafil online

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *