Any of us who has had a bright light pointed into our eyes can relate to what it means to be blinded for at least a few moments.  Then it is the restoration and newness that arrives after the blindness that may be the most intriguing part of the event.

Perhaps, many of us, as Bible readers, have pondered the change that came over Saul of Tarsus.  It happened only after he had been “blinded by the light” with which he was confronted on the way to Damascus (Acts 9:3ff.). 

Consider Saul’s situation.  He was a man who was determined in what he sought and wanted to do with his life.  In his own description of what had been important in his life (Galatians 1:13-14, Philippians 3:4-6), he was determined in his course.  He was convinced in mind and convicted in heart that he was on his right path.  There may have been some selfishness and arrogance involved.  It is almost assuredly doubtful that he would have admitted the self-serving nature of what he was doing at the time he was doing it, but it can definitely be seen in his later words.  He wrote of being ahead of all his peers as he advanced in the civil structures of the day.  He was sure of who he wanted to be and was well on his way to achieving that goal.

Jonathan Swift wrote, “There’s none so blind as they that won’t see.”  Ray Stevens added that line to one of his more serious and charming songs, “Everything is Beautiful”.  In each of these presentations, we are reminded that personal perspective has a powerful influence on us.  Perhaps we have accused one another of being unwilling to see what is obvious; at least to others.  And, perhaps, if we are to be fully honest, we may be forced to admit that we too have worn those shoes of blindness.

Thankfully there are those special moments in life.  They are moments of awakening.  We may describe them as when the lights came on, or even “Come to Jesus” moments.  It is not that there is something new in the air.  For, the change is not about what is happening around us.  It is about what is happening within us.  These are the events in which we realize that the rejected information may be exactly what it has been reported to be. 

Though realizations take place in the inner self, our willingness to see the truth may be spurred by outside forces.  Consider the plight of Saul.  He was on a consciously determined course.  He thought he was doing the right thing.  It took a stunning event to change his mind and direction.  It took a bright light and blinded eyes for him to begin to see clearly.  Maybe it is a bit apropos that his blindness to clear sight was as scales falling from his eyes (Acts 9:18).

Ask yourself, “Why do we become so stubborn?  Why does it so often take something like a blinding light to make us see the truth of a matter?”

Well, before we start kicking ourselves too hard, give it a little more thought.  If what we claim to believe is easily dismissed, did we really believe it?  Saul of Tarsus was determined in what he believed.  He went to great lengths to show it.  Yes, he was stubbornly wrong.  Still, it was that unyielding faith in what he believed that made him such a powerful influence when he did see the “light”.  No doubt, the same could be said for many others, maybe even you or me.

In conclusion, give a little cheer for a bit of stubbornness.  At the same time, let’s have hope for clarity of mind to be able to see the truth for what it is.  And if we can’t initially see it, maybe we should pray for a blinding light to come our way.

Russell L. Dyer

December 19, 2024