“T’was Blind But Now I See”

With each of those decisions, I felt blind and unable to see where the path would lead. But I have learned that there is One who sees the end from the beginning and invites me to walk with Him because He perfectly knows the way forward.

“Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound…T’was blind but now I see.” This song by John Newton is a personal favorite. It speaks to the most deepest part of our soul and gives us hope that the divine in us will prevail through the power of Christ.

One Sunday, I attended a new congregation and was blessed to see a precious example of how Christ’s grace works in our lives. During our weekly worship service, a few young men pass the sacrament (communion) to those assembled. In this congregation, however, we noticed there were nine men waiting to administer the sacrament. While this number of people was unusual, I did not give it much thought. Then, when they rose to begin, I noticed that three of them were identical teenage boys, all of whom were blind. They navigated their way through the chapel, guided by the steadying hand of someone who could see the path. These young men confidently felt their way along, offering the emblems of Christ’s sacrifice to each row. They served with purpose and poise, knowing someone was there to help if needed.

As I witnessed this powerful scene, I realized how I am often like one of these youth, in need of direction from someone with sight greater than my own. I have faced difficult decisions about my education, career, health challenges, and relationships. With each of those decisions, I felt blind and unable to see where the path would lead. But I have learned that there is One who sees the end from the beginning and invites me to walk with Him because He perfectly knows the way forward. “He knows, in a way that no one else can understand, what it is that we need, individually, in order to move forward in the midst of change. Unlike friends and loved ones, the Savior not only sympathizes with us, but He can empathize perfectly because He has been where we are. In addition to paying the price and suffering for our sins, Jesus Christ also walked every path, dealt with every challenge, faced every hurt—physical, emotional, or spiritual—that we will ever encounter in mortality.” (Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, Turn to the Lord, 2017)

At times the answers to my questions came quickly, but others came after years of persistence and waiting on the Lord (even if impatiently sometimes). In both cases, asking Christ to take my hand and lead me through life has allowed me to navigate these challenges with greater confidence and peace. His sight gave me courage to keep walking, albeit blindly, and push through the dark parts of the journey. “My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness.” (2 Nephi 4:20)

 

That Sunday, I wept tears of profound joy as the Spirit opened my eyes and I pictured myself as a blind child being led so gently by the Savior of the World. He has a mission for me to fulfill, but my mortal eyes are kept from seeing my immortal past, my earthly future, and my divine potential. But Christ can see all! He knows who I was before I came to earth, He can see clearly who I am now, and He has a vision of the powerful being I can yet become. So I need to let Him be my eyes!

“Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.”

During your prayers this week, I invite you to specifically ask God to guide you through the day and ask Him to help you recognize His direction. You too will find that life is easier to navigate and challenges are easier to overcome when you face them with heavenly assistance. You will feel peace, knowing you are not walking alone. God, Himself has promised, “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.” (D&C 112:10)

Please share your thoughts or experience below!