Seeing Men as Trees Walking

It sometimes seems that we are suffering alone in our affliction. We wonder, “When will we see the light?”

When?

Sometimes the answer to “when” comes as we look around and find those who are standing alongside us in support. Sometimes we find others who are suffering as we are and looking for someone to support them.

Just to clarify, I don’t consider myself to be afflicted. I have had some difficulties over the past few years, but I have never felt alone.

During those difficult times, I looked around and found that I was surrounded by people who cared for me and supported me.

Feeling fully supported allows me to provide support and encouragement to others.

Praying for others and offering encouraging words are ways I have found that I can support those who are going through tough times. There are currently three people on my prayer list because of serious vision issues.

Vision is something that most of us take for granted.

It is just there—until it is not.

This summer marks twenty-five years since I began dealing with vision issues. They first visited me in 2001. Then, in 2015, my vision was damaged to the point of legal blindness.

What do I see?

I see varying shades of black, darkness, shadows, and blur.

My right eye contains the only usable vision I have left. That vision is blurry and limited to the upper part of my right eye.

My left eye is the most compromised—dark.

On a bright day, I can make out some shadowy shapes coming through, but I cannot see any detail with my left eye.

When it is dark and the lights are out, my overall vision is dark.

So, yes. I can relate to vision issues.

Recently, my pastor shared a message on the blind man in Mark 8:22-26. That passage has fascinated me since my vision loss all those years ago.

“22 And He cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto Him, and besought Him to touch him. 23 And He took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when He had spit on his eyes, and put His hands upon him, He asked him if he saw ought. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that He put His hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.” —Mark 8:22-25, KJV

I see the vision of my left eye, especially, reflected in this portion of Scripture.

After Jesus put His hands on the blind man the first time, he could see partially.

The Scripture reads, “And he [the blind man] looked up, and said, ‘I see men as trees, walking.’”

He could see—but he could not yet see clearly.

Do I believe that Jesus could have healed him completely with that first touch?

I absolutely believe that He could have.

So why did Jesus touch him a second time?

I have often wondered about that.

Was there something Jesus wanted the man to experience in that in-between place? Was it something He wanted His disciples—and us—to see?

Scripture doesn’t give us that answer.

But I do know what that in-between place feels like.

Perhaps this is where the passage speaks most personally to me.

Sometimes I have to seek Christ more fully and believe through the blurry times. Sometimes I have to keep moving forward, even when I cannot see the path or the outcome clearly.

Jesus did touch the man again, and he regained his sight.

But where was he emotionally and spiritually while he was in that in-between place?

That is where the majority of my physical vision lies.

I can absolutely relate to the words, “I see men as trees, walking.”

That in-between place.

As for me and my vision, yes. That is where I am—awaiting that second touch from Jesus.

I am confident, though, that my vision will be restored.

If not here, then when I walk into His presence.

And I believe the first thing I will see clearly will be His face, bathed in heavenly light.

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What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Jesus? You can know Him.  Jesus Christ—God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day—will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth. In addition, here is an excellent page that can give you additional information on peace with God: PeaceWithGod.net. 

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