Impaired Vision

Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Jesus Loves Me This I Know"1 (Lyrics)

Over 25 years ago, I was told that I was going blind. Treatments and surgeries have slowed the onset of visual impairment over the years, yet the lack of sight is evidently growing, and it has become more apparent lately.

Slowly, over the years, I have been learning to cope with the gradual loss of vision. At one point, it came to giving up driving. Early in my life, I began writing pieces like this (by hand), but in my later years, over age 60, I was able to continue to do this when I learned to use a computer, because the writing comes out with a large enough font for me to see. It really helps to have what I am looking at illuminated by a bright light.

John 9:25b – One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see. (NRSV)

All of these changes have a parallel in the spiritual realm. As I have matured in Christ, I have been able to "see" how the things of God can be enlarged to our limited human vision with help from above. God gives us an epiphany of great things that are lacking in the human soul.

John 8:12 – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (NRSV)

Jesus, the Light of the world, shines through the heart, mind, and soul, dark and impaired, to restore them to wholeness in Him. Ruined souls who turn to the Light from above receive saving faith in Jesus as Lord and Redeemer.

2 Corinthians 12:8-9a – Three times I appealed to the Lord about [my thorn in the flesh], that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for [my] power is made perfect in weakness." (NRSV)

We can always take our weak spots to God in prayer. God knows us through and through, and He actually waits for us to realize that, too.

Our deficiencies are no problem to Jesus, who died for our sins. Remembering that we live by saving grace through faith in Jesus our Light, in return, we ask Him to turn our impairments into effectiveness for His kingdom. On my walks around the block using my walker for support, it always amazes me how so many reach out to receive the devotional pamphlets that I offer. Each time, I just ask the Lord which corner I should stand at, who His Light is shining on, and whose impaired spiritual vision is being restored!

I return home, rejoicing in the Lord, who is my shining Light!

Prayer: God Almighty, thank You for sending Your own Son to take away the sin of the world — the sins of each one of us as Your children. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for opening our eyes for salvation, for the help from above. Glory and honour to You: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!

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About the author:

Kirsti Sipila <kirstiksipila@hotmail.com>
Brantford, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    God bless you and your work, Kirsti.


    God bless you!
    (CA)


    Thank you for your continued faithfulness Kirsti! In Christ you are a marvel!!
    Blessings.


    Thank you, Kirsti.
    Your ‘insight’ is wonderful!
    God bless you.


    Hi Kirsti,
    What a great message. Thanks so much!
    God Bless You.


    You are an inspiration, Kristi. Thank you for your devotional writing and for sharing your zeal for the Lord.
    (Texas)


    Kirsti – thanks for this devotional’s inspiration and thank you for all that you do to share God’s love with others. God Bless you.


    What a witness you are for God. If only the rest of the Christians in this world would be as committed as you. Thank you for what you are doing.
    Blessings.


    Good morning, Kirsti,
    You are an inspiration always! I praise the Lord for you and your courage to continually witness to others. I pray for the Lord’s richest blessings to be on you today and always.


    Thank you Kirsti!
    I always am blessed by your sharing your faith through these devotionals. May God continue to bless you richly. You are such a beautiful light powered by the Light of the World!


    Hello Kirsti
    This was very good and so true! Amazing as we grow with Christ how much more we see! God bless you in all you do.
    You are an inspiration for sure.


    Hi Kirsti,
    Thank you for your devotional this morning. Regardless of whatever situation we find ourselves in, we do know that Jesus gives us light on the path of life. You are so right
    Blessing.


    Oh my dear writing friend, can I ever relate to your struggle and your joy in computer enhanced sight. I’ve also found that my electronic tablet enables me to actually read books with enlarged font size — including the Bible! While not all technology enables increased sight, our Lord Jesus does touch us through them. Thanks for sharing your struggle and the lessons learned with us. Blessings.


    Hi Kirsti
    Thank you for sharing your visual impairment story with us. I thank God that I am still able to see and drive, although things are not as clear as they used to be. I am proud of you that you still go out and spread the message of God. May God continue to give you the strength and the courage to do so.


    Dear Kirsti – you are indeed the aroma of Christ to the many with whom you come in contact. May God, our Lord, be praised, and thanked continually, for the ministering you have done and are still doing, reaching out even to people like me; people who picture you as strong and active … because of the Word that you open to us/for us. May His Joy and Peace and Love fill you to overflowing all the days of your life. Amen. And thank you.


    I am sorry you have eye issues. I have been blessed that I neither have glaucoma or macular degeneration which is in my family.
    My youngest sister was born with a condition that we all knew she could not live a long life. She was a great Christian. She used to tell Psalm 119 verse 105 “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” to our father. When she died my father donated lights to the local church as it was very dark. They built a new church and donations went to that church and they put lights both inside and out using that scripture and in her memory.
    (ON)


    Dear friend, for that is what you became this morning.
    I not only found your writing so encouraging, but so helpful.
    I too am going blind. I have, all my life, had the use of only one eye.
    Now that foolish eye is growing a cataract! They hesitate to operate as it is my only eye.
    I too have written stories all my life. I too found the joy of a computer. I too need the extra light and enlarging to read my Bible and write some more stories. I too use a walker.
    So Bless you for walking, giving out your writings. You have used your disability to glorify our God.
    Thank you for your writing today, it gives me hope and much to think about.
    Bless your day.


    Thanks Kirsti. You’re a jewel in His crown!


    Dear Kirsti Sipila,
    You are a shining light because the Light of our Lord shines through your words.
    Keep writing.

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