Open Eyes, Doors, and Hearts

Mark 7:22 As Jesus and his disciples were going into Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch the man. Jesus took him by the hand and led him out of the village, where he spit into the man's eyes. He placed his hands on the blind man and asked him if he could see anything. The man looked up and said, "I see people, but they look like trees walking around."
Once again Jesus placed his hands on the man's eyes, and this time the man stared. His eyes were healed, and he saw everything clearly."

This is the scripture reference for yesterday's sermon by Bro. David Huges, new pastor at Gregory's Chapel Assembly of God, my home church. Here is what I got out of it:

Sometimes Jesus leads us outside of our comfort zone and uses or causes unpleasant things to happen to us to heal us. I'm sure none of us would relish the thought of someone spitting in our eyes. If Jesus had told the man what he was going to do, the man probably would have recoiled in disgust. He probably would not have believed that this would heal him. He likely would not have even let Jesus lead him out of town, out of his familiar surroundings and circumstances.
But Jesus knew best. Jesus wanted to prove to the man that He could, in fact, heal him of his blindness. He took him out of town, away from the crowds to make this a personal encounter. He wanted the blind man to know the extent of his miracle.

Notice that the blind man did not see clearly at first. He saw men walking as trees. His healing was a progressive work by Christ. It was not that Jesus couldn't have healed him totally the first time. I think it was because Jesus wanted the man to realize that He is continually doing a work in our lives, continually improving and healing. Sometimes we don't see our fellowman clearly, as Christ sees them. We pay no more attention to them than as if they were trees around us. But Jesus wants us to see them clearly. He wants us to see others as He sees them--works in progress. As we move toward Christ in our journey, we become more and more like him, and less like trees of the field. Our souls make us different than any of His other creations. He created us to worship Him. He wants our fellowship. And if He has to lead us out of our comfort zone and introduce us to some unpleasant things to get it, then we must acknowledge that He knows best and is doing this for our ultimate good.

Joel Osteen preached on resting in God last night. He said if you are doing your best to live for Christ and doing all you know to do to please Him, then you are right where you are supposed to be. We need to stop fighting against what is going on in our lives and rest in the knowledge that He will never leave us or forsake us. We don't have to control every situation of our lives if we relinquish to His control. If all the doors are closed, then He must have a purpose. BUT, once the God of heaven decides to open the doors and pour out a blessing, nothing can stop it. He will open a door that no man can shut.

Revelations 3:7 "I am the one who is holy and true, and I have the keys that belonged to David. When I open a door, no one can close it. And when I close a door, no one can open it."

This trial is only temporary my friend. This life on earth is temporary. "I am coming soon. So hold firmly to what you have, and no one will take away the crown that you will be given as your reward. Everyone who wins the victory will be made into a pillar in the temple of my God, and they will stay there forever."