Have you ever found yourself caught in the blame game? You know, that tendency to point fingers when things go wrong, always looking for someone to hold responsible? It’s a common human behavior, but one that can blind us to the greater purposes at work in our lives.
Consider the story in John 9, where Jesus encounters a man blind from birth. His disciples immediately jump to conclusions, asking, “Rabbi, why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” It’s a classic case of trying to assign blame, to make sense of suffering by finding fault.
But Jesus’ response is profound and paradigm-shifting. He says, “You’re asking the wrong questions. You’re looking for someone to blame. This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” In one swift statement, Jesus redirects their focus from blame to purpose, from human error to divine intention.
This encounter teaches us a crucial lesson: miracles aren’t just for us to see; they’re for the world to see Jesus. Our struggles, our triumphs, our moments of divine intervention – they’re all part of a bigger story God is writing, not just in our lives, but in the lives of those around us.
So how do we shift our perspective from blame to purpose? Here are three key insights:
1. Refocus on the Reason
When faced with challenges or unexpected turns in life, our first instinct might be to ask “Why?” But what if we changed our question to “What are you revealing here, Lord?” This shift in focus allows us to see beyond our immediate circumstances to the greater work God might be doing.
Think about it: people are watching. Your coworkers, your family, your neighbors – they’re all observing how you handle life’s ups and downs. How you maintain joy in difficult times, how your marriage survives trials, how you navigate financial struggles with peace – these are all testimonies to God’s work in your life.
2. Recognize Your Responsibility
As followers of Christ, we are called to be “living letters” – walking testimonies of God’s grace and power. In 2 Corinthians, Paul writes that we are “a letter that anyone can read just by looking at you. Christ himself wrote it, not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit.”
This means that our lives are meant to be read by others, to point them towards Jesus. It’s a weighty responsibility, but also an incredible privilege. Every struggle overcome, every joy celebrated, becomes an opportunity for others to see Christ at work.
3. Respond to the Mission
Jesus often required faith-filled action from those He healed. Remember the blind man? Jesus put mud on his eyes and told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. The man had to take a step of faith, walking blindly to the pool, before his sight was restored.
Similarly, we’re called to respond to God’s mission in our lives. This might mean sharing our story with others, even when it feels uncomfortable. It might mean taking a leap of faith into the unknown, trusting that God will provide. The question is: who have you told your story to lately?
Romans 10 reminds us, “How will they be saved if they don’t believe? And how will they believe if no one tells them?” Your story of God’s faithfulness could be the very thing someone else needs to hear to take their next step towards faith.
Throughout Scripture, we see examples of miracles that weren’t just for the immediate recipients. The parting of the Red Sea wasn’t just for the Israelites – it was so “the Egyptians may know that I am Lord.” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s deliverance from the fiery furnace led King Nebuchadnezzar to worship God. Lazarus being raised from the dead was a testimony to all who witnessed it.
So how do we maintain this outward focus, especially when we’re in the midst of our own struggles? The answer is both simple and challenging: stay connected to the Father. Jesus says in John 15, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Staying connected to God through prayer, Scripture, and community is what enables us to bear the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities, evident in our lives especially during difficult times, are what draw others to Christ.
Consider the ripple effect of your faith journey. A family member who was once an atheist might come to faith watching you navigate a loss with hope. A doctor might be impacted by your unwavering value of life in the face of a difficult pregnancy. A coworker might be drawn to Christ through your consistent prayers and kindness in the workplace.
Your promotion, your move to a new city, your new building project – these aren’t just for your benefit. They’re opportunities for others to see Jesus at work. Even in times of grief or loss, there’s potential for God to use your story to comfort and encourage others facing similar struggles.
So, the next time you’re tempted to play the blame game or get caught up in asking “Why me?”, take a step back. Ask instead, “Lord, what are you doing here? Who is this for? How can this situation be used to show others Your love and power?”
Remember, miracles aren’t just for us to see. They’re for the world to see Jesus. And you, in your everyday life, with all its joys and sorrows, successes and failures, are part of that miracle-working process. Your life is a testament to God’s grace, a living letter for others to read.
Who will you tell your story to today? How will you let others see Jesus through your life? The world is watching, waiting to see a God who still works miracles – not just in grand, dramatic ways, but in the everyday faithfulness of His people. You are part of that bigger picture, that greater story. Live it well.