No More Blame ...

I can still see her face vividly in my mind. Her skin looked soft though years of experience left faint lines. Her short black hair was thick and moved freely. Her voice was firm and strong yet laced with a gentleness that mesmerized me. I remember the words she spoke so softly and still wonder if she meant for me to hear them: “There is a reason for every action.”

My fifth grade classmate was giving her no end of grief that day. She had been pushed beyond all limits, yet her conviction rose to meet the challenge. She simply could not, would not give up on helping a child. I observed in silent awe.

I remembered her tonight as I sought the Lord again. Her fond memory returned as I read these precious words: Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?” Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.” John 9:1-3 The Message

A man blind from birth surely could have wandered down the street without notice. Yet he did not escape the notice of the Savior. The disciples, like many of us, were quick to point a judging finger, seeking the culprit. But Jesus, in tune with the Father’s heart, turned the situation from judgment to loving compassion for both the blind man and His disciples.

Jesus looked beyond the surface. He was not interested in accusing someone of wrong doing. Instead, He used the opportunity to reveal the Father’s heart. He liberated the blind man from his ailment while demonstrating the power and compassion of the living God to His disciples. All the while, Jesus also provided for us an example.

My teacher followed His example on that day. She was not interested in placing blame or even administering the harsh punishment appropriately due. Instead, she met the child with grace, looked deeper, and hoped to find the source of trouble.

Do you ever find life so busy and full of demands that sometimes people seem to be in the way of your progress? Perhaps it seems one difficult person has thrown a wrench in your neatly laid plans. Though, as a Christ follower, may we learn to look beyond the surface, reach to the Father for wisdom, and then demonstrate His grace and power.

I find myself stepping back more and more when faced with a difficult situation. I begin to wonder, what’s going on beneath the outer veneer? What is it that God wants to do here? Does He want to reach a hurting soul through me? Is He hoping to teach me something new? Then I consider how blessed I’ve been that He sent others into my life who have demonstrated the example Jesus gave us. Remember this:

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 The Message

Have you had an opportunity to demonstrate the grace of Christ to someone lately? How can you reflect Jesus to someone today? I’d love to hear about it! Feel free to leave a comment ..

“… I want not only to share my faith with you but to be encouraged by yours: each of us will be a blessing to the other.”
Romans 12:1b The Message Blessings …

Tanja Dufrene
Women’s Ministries - Highpointe