Beyond the Surface: Uncovering God’s Purpose
When we encounter difficulties or challenges, our natural tendency is to ask “why?” We want to assign blame, to understand the reason behind the suffering. But what if we’re missing the point? What if the true purpose of these situations is not to assign fault, but to reveal God’s glory?
The Blindness of Discipleship
In John 9:3, Jesus says, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” At first glance, it seems like the blind man is the one in need of help. But Jesus turns the tables, revealing that it’s actually the disciples who are blind. They see only the surface-level problems, while Jesus sees the deeper purpose.
Seeing Beyond the Obvious
The Greek word “phaneroo” means “to make apparent, visible, or known.” It’s a perfect description of the disciples’ blindness. They have physical sight, but they lack spiritual insight. Jesus, on the other hand, sees the opportunity to reveal God’s glory in the midst of adversity. As servant leaders, we must cultivate eyes that “see” beyond the obvious, eyes that recognize the potential for God to work in every situation.
Two Choices
We have a choice: we can see problems, impossibilities, blame, despair, and sin, or we can see God at work. We can focus on the surface-level issues, or we can look deeper and discover the divine purpose. A problem can become a potential victory, the impossible can become routine, despair can become a doorway to hope, and sin can become a schoolteacher of forgiveness.
Shifting Our Perspective
As servant leaders, we must constantly look for opportunities from God. We must recognize that blame is not the answer, but rather a catalyst for purpose. We must choose to see beyond the surface, to uncover the hidden purposes of God. So, what do you see? Do you see problems, or do you see God at work? It all depends on how you look at it.
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