Joel M Bradshaw

22And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.–Mark 8

From what we know of the Gospels, Jesus clearly had the ability to work an immediate physical miracle. And yet here, Jesus chose to do this healing in two stages. Why the difference?

Maybe the answer is found in the conversation. The blind man got to respond to stage 1. I recently had some serious gout pain that limited my mobility. We were on vacation and I needed to do a great deal of walking. And I remember one day the pain partially let up a bit. It wasn’t completely gone, but I was able to get around.

Even though my issue still remained, I appreciated the walking I was still able to do. I think asking the question to the once blind man invited him to appreciate the journey. Imagine how many times that blind man was rudely asked that question by strangers!

You may not have all you are praying for. But God may just be providing for you in stages. He knows your story and what you can endure. He cares for you. Trust in His plan. Appreciate the journey you are on! Every morning I wake up with no pain I celebrate God’s faithfulness. I bet that blind man did, too. Even if it came in stages.–JMB