And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. (Mark 8:22-26, ESV)
I’ve never seen people who look like trees. Trees that look like people, sure, though none of those were walking. But I’m pretty certain the trees lining the fairways of Mesa Country Club, my home course, do move. I’ve had some kind ones toss my ball back into the fairway, and I’ve had some impish ones drop my ball straight down. I even had one throw my ball back at me, as if it were trying to engage me in a game of catch.
But the trees are at their most dangerous when they wave their arms and lean from side to side, pulling my eye away from the target. It is when my vision is drawn to the trouble that I know I’m in trouble.
On the other hand, there are holes at Mesa with many trees that I never see. They may be in someone’s way, but not mine. The eighth is that way—it has lots of trees, but the hole fits my eye.
If you play golf you have holes that fit your eye, and you wonder why everyone doesn’t see them that way. Maybe Jesus also fits your eye, and you wonder why everyone doesn’t see him like you do. It is an odd thing, I admit, to be able to see something so clearly that you’re amazed when others are blind to it.
Jesus took the blind man and spit in his face. Or perhaps he spit into his own hands and then rubbed “living water,” water that came from his own body, on the man’s eyes. If holy water ever existed, that would be it.
When you come to a hole on a course that does not fit your eye, do not be resigned to that. Ask yourself why, and look from a different perspective. And when you meet someone for whom Jesus does not fit their eye, do not be surprised, do not bluster about their blindness, help them see.
Use your gentle touch, like Jesus did, even if it takes more than one application. When they can see clearly then they, too, can help restore the sight of others. And one day, perhaps with your help, every eye will see.
—
Lewis Greer
November 2, 2015
Copyright 2015 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.