The Blind Side

To be blind-sided is to have something come up for which you weren't prepared that knocks you off balance or perhaps off your feet.  To be blind-sided is disabling because it does not allow us to prepare for the hit or shift for the load, so to speak.

The blind spot is that place you know exists but you just can't see what is in it.  That spot beside your car, which your mirror does not reveal.  It is potentially dangerous because we simply can't tell if another vehicle is there or not.  However, knowing that we don't know can prevent us from being blind-sided by that spot.  While it prevents us from seeing, it does not prevent us from allowing for the possibility, so we can make adjustments for what we cannot see.

It becomes obvious that not to be able to see an approaching danger is problematic but to not be aware of an approaching danger is disastrous.  And yet, allowing for or even creating a blind-side is not necessarily dangerous at all.  Say what???  Let me explain.

We actually place blinders on horses at times so that they will not see what is to the right or left, allowing them to focus on what is in front.  This manufactured blind-side allows the horse to run or pull without distraction or worries about what it might see to the side.  Running with blinders on is not a danger but a helpful aide.

In life, while we normally want to be aware of the potential downfalls, there are times when we must close our eyes to those risks or threats and simply step out on faith.  Does anyone, for instance, get married or have a baby with all potential risks accounted for and preparations made in advance?  Not ever in the history of the world.  Businesses are started, partnerships are formed and commitments are made knowing that we don't know all the risks that lie ahead but certain they are there.

We call that forward motion focus, keeping your eye on the prize.  When what is ahead is valuable enough or who is ahead is trustworthy enough, we close our eyes to the distractions around us and forge ahead.  In fact, to do otherwise is to court disaster itself: “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matt 14-28-30).

While Peter kept his focus on Jesus, the wind and the waves did not distract him and he was able to step out on faith.  He was not being dismissive of the danger, he was being obedient to the call of our Lord.  The winds and the waves wee not his business but the Lord's.  However, when Peter began to look around, he made them his business - a business for which he was ill prepared to deal.

The called often leave the safety of a career to enter the ministry.  Missionaries leave the safety of their homeland to enter into the field.  Following Jesus can often require that we leave the comfort and safety of what we know in order to go where he bids us and do what he directs.  Life in general calls us to a future that does not allow us to see all the risks surrounding it.

However, when we step out in faith, trusting in Jesus, we do not need to concern ourselves with all the potential risks but rather with faithfully answering His call and trustingly moving forward in life, relying on God to make a way, even when we can see no way.  The answer is to allow for the blind side and "set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God" (Col 3:1).

Focusing on Christ allows you to face unseen dangers and distractions ahead, knowing that God will provide and protect.  At some point, we really have to "let go and let God" be in charge of our future for "who among you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?" (Matt 6:27).  Jus' Say'n.