Pain is inevitable. If you go through life trying to avoid it, you will only invent a new kind of pain. Pain is only possible because joy is possible. Pain is the longing for the rest and stability we were designed to experience. Joy is the realization of it.
But, there are seasons where pain seems to be the default. Clinging to a sliver of hope feels senseless and sophomoric. Hope seems lost. All our efforts to regain hope fail, and we are left broken and scattered. Meanwhile, the Healer is nowhere to be found.
What then?
Theologians refer to this as the “Dark Night of the Soul.” It is a period when anguish is your portion and depression is your prize. Sometimes, these “Nights” seem to last days, even weeks. Maybe longer.
Who do you turn to when your circumstances are a wreck, you are a wreck, and no one can relate? God’s door seems slammed shut and you feel alone.
I was reading a story of two blind men who meet Jesus. Matthew records this in Chapter 20 of his gospel. He sets the scene in verses 30-31…
Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
Imagine being a blind man in this culture. Any work to support yourself would be completely impossible. You are resorted to begging. Not a good look. On top of that, the religious leaders of the day taught that those who were born blind deserved it in some way. So now you are a low class in a socioeconomic and “religious” standpoint.
And then, here comes Jesus. A guy you have only heard about. You have heard he can heal people. You have heard that he loves people. And he is about to walk right past you. Here’s your chance.
You cry out in faint hope to a man who you can’t even see, hoping that it is really Him in the first place. Right as you do that, you are met with a rebuke from his followers. Imagine what a crushing blow this would be. It’s not like you could see who was rebuking you! You’re blind! How do you know it’s not Jesus rebuking you? It’s your one chance to be healed, and you are immediately shot down. You cry out again, only to be met with louder rebukes.
This moment might have been the pinnacle of the dark night of the soul for these men. All the pain, all the rejection, all the affliction you are blamed for is met with a slammed door.
How does Jesus respond?
32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
Jesus stopped. He turned his attention to the rejects of society. And he asked them what they needed.
Here there is a renewed sliver of hope. The One person that could help you has stopped what He is doing so that He can address you.
They respond directly with their need…
33 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”
Pretty straightforward. Pay attention to Jesus’ heart…
34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
Compassion. He had compassion. He had compassion on the men the world hated. Compassion on the men the world completely disregarded. Compassion on the men that had been cast aside and forgotten.
Notice too, that He touched their eyes. Jesus could have just as easily snapped His fingers and said “Be healed.” But He appropriated His healing to their specific need. He touches their eyes and heals them of the disease that robbed them of their entire life.
What’s the point? You are no different from the blind men. You have a great need, and a faint hope. Thankfully, there is a great Healer that will restore the joy that He designed you to know.
Do not give up. Even when the door seems closed. “Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. The door will be opened.” Pray for your “eyes to be opened.” He is a Healer and will have compassion.
Free to be Funk 