"It’s one limitation we all share."

 

A thought by Max Lucado, from his book, Begin Again (p. 16). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.)

So what is it? I want to know?

Max says, "We are blind. We can’t see the future. We have absolutely no vision beyond the present. I’m not talking nearsightedness or obstructed view; I’m talking opaque blindness. I’m not talking about a condition that passes with childhood; I’m describing a condition that passes only with death. We are blind. Blind to the future."

He goes on, "It’s one limitation we all share. The wealthy are just as blind as the poor. The educated are just as sightless as the unschooled. And the famous know as little about the future as the unknown.

"None of us know how our children will turn out. None of us know the day we will die. None of us know if another pandemic is on the way. We are universally, absolutely, unalterably blind."

Later he says, "There are times in life when everything you have to offer is nothing compared to what you are asking to receive. Jairus is at such a point. What could a man offer in exchange for his child’s life? So there are no games. No negotiations. No masquerades. The situation is starkly simple: Jairus is blind to the future, and Jesus knows the future. So Jairus asks for his help.

"And Jesus, who loves to give new beginnings, goes to give it. And God, who knows what it is like to lose a child, empowers his Son.

"But before Jesus and Jairus get very far, they are interrupted by emissaries from his house. 'Your daughter is dead. There is no need to bother the teacher anymore. (Mark 5:35 NCV)."

Max continues, "Get ready. Hang on to your hat. Here’s where the story gets moving. Jesus goes from being led to leading, from being convinced by Jairus to convincing Jairus. From being admired to being laughed at, from helping out the people to casting out the people. Here is where Jesus takes control.

"'But Jesus paid no attention to what they said' . . . (v. 36 NCV)."

Max then says, "I love that line! It describes the critical principle for seeing the unseen: Ignore what people say. Block them out. Turn them off. Close your ears. And, if you must, walk away. Ignore the ones who say it’s too late to begin again. Disregard those who say you’ll never amount to anything. Turn a deaf ear toward those who say you aren’t smart enough, fast enough, tall enough, or big enough—ignore them. Faith sometimes begins by stuffing your ears with cotton. Jesus turns immediately to Jairus and pleads: 'Don’t be afraid; just believe' (v. 36 NCV).

"Jesus compels Jairus to see the unseen. When Jesus says, 'Just believe . . . ,' he is imploring, 'Don’t limit your possibilities to the visible. Don’t listen only for the audible. Don’t be controlled by the logical. Believe there is more to life than meets the eye!' 'Trust me,' Jesus is pleading. 'Don’t be afraid; just trust.'"

By the way, Jesus healed the daughter. So will you trust Him? Will you?

Yes, yes!