I Was Blank, But Now I’m Blank

John 9:1-25 records when Jesus healed a man blind from birth.  Let’s pick up the story in v.7

 “Go,” he(Jesus)  told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”  “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” 12 “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said.

The healed man was later confronted by the religious establishment asking who had healed him because they wanted to accuse Jesus of breaking the law by healing on the Sabbath.  The healed man’s reply:

 “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know.  I was blind but now I see!” John 9:1-25 NIV

People can try to refute the Bible but it is much harder to refute someone’s personal testimony about the change God has made in their life.  What change has God made in your life that you can tell others about?  What is your version of ‘I was blind, but now I see”? 

What were you before or what were you struggling with that God has healed or removed for you that you can tell others about?  Maybe one of these represents your story: 

·      I was angry, critical and always ready to argue, but now I am patient, slow to speak and slow to anger

·      I was unforgiving, but now I’m forgiving

·      I was an addict, but now I’ve been sober

·      I was a worrier, but now I’m trusting God

·      I was a quick judge of people based on what they looked like, but now I’m trying to treat everyone like a child of God who is my neighbor

·      I was prone to lust, but now I’m trying keep my eyes fixed on God

What is your ‘I was _____________ , but now I’m _____________’ that you can share with people in your life to show the amazing impact God can have in your life…and theirs?