OUT FROM UNDER THE RADAR 

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.  Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.  John 9:13-14

    Not only was it forbidden to heal on a Sabbath, it was also forbidden to make mud.  The making of mud would indicate that something was in the process of being built, therefore work was being accomplished.  Jesus could have just spoken a word to heal the man’s sight.  He didn’t.  He made a series of choices to perform this miracle in a most public way.  Instead of leading the man to a secret place, away from public view, he touched his blindness in front of spectators.  Instead of taking a prudent shortcut, he made mud and clearly violated the Sabbath Law.  A lot was at stake in the ways He chose to carry out this healing.  The message of the kingdom was to be declared.  That wouldn’t be possible choosing to live under the radar. 

    What I can call ‘discreet’ is often nothing more than fear.  Speaking up, proclaiming my alliance to Jesus, and then doing His work in the manner in which He leads me is all vital to the kingdom.  There will be times God tells me to work in secret but the reasons are His reasons, not mine. 

    My father and mother were both quiet, peaceful people.  They didn’t like the spotlight and avoided criticism at all costs.  While there are some admirable qualities in peacemakers, there are some downsides.  Regarding certain important issues, it was impossible to know where they stood.  They withdrew behind private walls.  Even today, there are some subjects about which I would have loved to know their mind and heart.  They are both in heaven and until I am with them again, I won’t have the joy of knowing where they stood on these things. 

    I embrace the virtues of their meekness, so far as they were holy.  I step out from under their influence where meekness turned into fear.  I embrace the boldness of Jesus and ask Him to, daily, define new boundary lines for me.  Boldness vs. aggression.  Meekness vs. fear.  Only His wisdom can help me write a new script.  I desire to be like Jesus who didn’t think twice about stirring up a crowd for the sake of the kingdom.  Negative attention didn’t deter Him from His calling.  With an uninterrupted connection with His Father, He had the opinions of man in perfect perspective.  Acceptance or rejection didn’t weigh into any of His decisions, nor should they affect mine.

I’m sorting this all out, still, Lord.  You didn’t weigh the costs and neither should I.  Only your grace will help me continue to live a new way.  Amen