VOTD: Scales
“So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.” Acts 9:17-19 (English Standard Version)
As always, a song inspired these thoughts. My good friend introduced me to Shawn McDonald, which – if you haven’t heard of him – you’re missing out! He has a unique way of phrasing that which he’s expressing. I relate to that. I often think in terms of analogies. In his song, “I Am Nothing”, this is what stood out to me:
And take the scales from my eyes
Without You I am nothing
I will not survive…”
I began to research scales. For fish, they are a means of protection. For humans, most often it is used to describe the fact that something has hindered us from seeing the Truth, usually those whom aren’t Christ followers.
You see, earlier in chapter nine, Saul had been blinded by his hatred of Christians; killing them at every chance he had. After reading this, it’s my opinion that with God’s funny sense of humor, He decided to literally blind Saul when He met him on the road to Damascus. Or perhaps, when He put the scales on Saul’s eyes, it was to protect him, much like the fish. Saul, knowing the Lord did this to him, had no choice but to follow and depend on Him.
How much are we like Saul sometimes? We are blindly running around, thinking we know what’s best for our lives, when really we have no clue whatsoever. (Perhaps I’m the only one to do this, I don’t know.) Just a thought: maybe sometimes we need scales on our eyes, to protect us from ourselves.
We are nothing without Him.
2 comments:
Meredith,
You are not the only one who does this! If I had spent my life thus far with a single-minded heart, fixed on God, instead of so often chasing the wind, it just blows my mind to think of it. It is encouragement to STOP wasting this life for things that won't last, and live it for His glory. May He give us the grace!
Stacey,
It's really hard to live in, not of, the world. Obviously there's a balance. I admire those who live in foreign lands serving Him. Not just missionaries though, people here, who are chasing after Him with sheer abandon. Ever read "The God Chasers"? I can't think who the author is?
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