Faith | He never lost sight of God’s healing power
When I went to renew my driver’s license 10-years ago, I had great difficulty reading the letters on the eye machine.
The agent on duty was gracious and let me try until I managed to read enough of the letters to pass. But, I left with a compassionate warning that I needed to visit an optometrist and seek a remedy for my failing vision before returning.
Getting glasses was an option, but I preferred to heal my eyes spiritually.
I’ve had dozens of significant physical healings over the decades from turning to God in prayer. I reasoned that this was another opportunity to learn something more about the healing power of God, and in this case, how it might help me see clearly.
I’ve always cherished the verse in the book of Proverbs, “The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both” (Prov. 20:12, RSV). This verse tells me that a “seeing eye” exists, for God made it, but how to experience more of this “seeing eye” in my personal experience, I yearned to understand!
I consistently go straight to the teachings of Jesus Christ when seeking spiritual healing.
One rule I ponder when seeking a spiritual insight is, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). From appearances, my sight was failing. But Jesus taught his followers to look beyond material appearances, to what was true with God in the big picture of eternal life. He showed through his healing ministry that what is acknowledged to be true in spirit can have a healing impact on the human condition. Insight into spiritual reality can heal us of physical ailments.
In my prayers to understand more spiritual truth about vision, I studied Jesus’ statement, “It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail” (John 6:63 RSV). This rule tells me that it is the spirit of God that gives us life and sustains it for the long run. Mortal life comes and goes, but our spiritual life with God is forever.
Surely, this spiritual life we have from God includes the ability to see, I reasoned, the “seeing eye” mentioned in the book of Proverbs.
I thought about the time Jesus Christ travels to Jericho and crosses paths with a resident blind man who pleads for his help. Jesus asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The man asks, “Lord, let me receive my sight.” Jesus replies, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well” (Luke 18:41,42, RSV).
It is apparent to me that in a few words, Jesus helps this man realize the “seeing eye,” of God’s creating. The man’s faith was critical, as Jesus pointed out, but Jesus’ understanding of spiritual reality no doubt enabled the man’s healing to happen. Where there appeared to be eyes unable to see, Jesus saw eyes that could see. Jesus saw the “seeing eye” of God’s creating and helped this man realize the same.
In my prayers for better vision, I decided that the same “seeing eye,” Jesus saw for that man, is present for me to use too. This eye is eternal, indestructible, ageless, mine to enjoy forever as a spiritual child of God.
As I found peace with this prayer, over several months I noticed my vision improving. I felt encouraged.
Last year, when I went to renew my license, I put my head on the vision tester and was thrilled to note that every letter on every line of the electronic chart stands out in big bold form. The letters are easy to read. I voice a celebratory thanks to God in the middle of the DMV and leave with a new license in hand.
I was flooded with gratitude to God all the way home as I rejoiced over the healing. I could see.
Evan Mehlenbacher is a practitioner and teacher of Christian Science in Richland, and a member of the Christian Science Church in Pasco. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.