LightGrams
September 1, 2022
Volume 26, Number 28
The phrase “Justice is blind” refers to the impartiality of the legal system. Ideally the courts should never look at a person’s ethnicity, gender, economic status, or educational level when making judgments. The judgments should be on the basis of evidence alone.
Richard Bernstein is a Justice on the Michigan Supreme Court. He also happens to have been blind since birth. While a man in his position might be accustomed to doing things just as he pleases, he has never been able to enjoy the experience of driving (naturally). Recently, though, he was able to get behind the wheel and drive a car.
Bernstein’s experience was made possible by Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. They used a dirt racing track at a fairground, and the sheriff spoke the directions that enabled Bernstein to drive: “Straighten it out, soft left, soft left,” and so on. With the sheriff’s help, the judge, who has run in more than 20 marathons, was able to check off another item on his bucket list.
We’re familiar with “seeing-eye dogs” that guide the visually impaired as they walk. Swanson has now become a “seeing-eye sheriff”. What a gift he gave the judge that day!
The experience of Judge Bernstein reminds me of my own situation. Am I visually impaired? Other than having to wear glasses, no. As long as I have my spectacles on, I can see well. But spiritually it is dangerous for me to “drive” my life unaided. I know this because of what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:3,4: “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded …” Satan deliberately obstructs and distorts our vision.
This also agrees with an observation found in Jeremiah 10:23: “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” Without outside assistance, we’re driving dangerously and will eventually meet with disaster. Driving blind is inherently dangerous.
How, then, is a person supposed to navigate life? Here’s the quick answer, from 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” “Faith” is the trust that we invest in the Lord as He teaches us how to live, what to think, etc. Romans 10:17 is also a key idea: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” It’s as if God is in the passenger seat telling us which turns to make, when to step on the gas, when to change lanes, etc. By heeding Him, our eyes are opened.
Can we really trust God to guide us, even when we can’t see the road ahead? Peter assures us that He can and He will: “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). Everything we need to travel safely through life is found in His word, the Bible. Our job, as the old hymn states, is to “trust and obey”.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2022, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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