Moving Without Sight

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Sight is often how we choose to move forward or not.  Literally, if we can see with light, then we will walk through a room or a path. If there is no light, then often we won’t move as freely.  We experience darkness often in Lebanon, as the electricity cuts are frequent, and the winter days are short.  Darkness is somewhat paralyzing as we will stand and wait a few minutes to see if the electricity will come back on or not.  If it returns, then life proceeds as normal, with vision that we take for granted.  If the power stays off, and the darkness lingers, then we must recalculate how to do life without sight.

Expatriate living equals many friends transitioning in and out of our lives. Recently, a friend was processing with me their upcoming move to a post in another foreign country in the 10-40 window. She expressed how always in the past when they accepted a new assignment it was with “sight, that good things were in store for her family.” However, this time she couldn’t see many benefits.  This move will be challenging, in all the natural human aspects, especially for her children. This dear sister feels God is wanting to test her faith. In other words, is she only willing to move forward if she can only see the benefits? 

Her words resonated deeply with me.  Perhaps because in many ways her journey reflects one, I took when we moved to Lebanon. Sight was limited, but the inner stirring was not. Moving without sight, is a definition of faith, I do believe.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…”

We have been honored over the past 11+ years to journey with some of the most precious people, who have chosen to live with limited sight.  It’s risky, it’s painful, it’s fulfilling and it’s rewarding. It’s lonely, it’s disappointing, it’s rich, and it’s filled with joy.  A mixture of emotions and feelings as opposite as darkness and light.

For us, it catapulted Mr. 17 and Mr. 15 out of the nest (prematurely, in my all-motherly human perspective). Moving anywhere with teens is risky, painful, lonely, and disappointing. Even with good sight most would wave a caution sign and grant advice claiming, “don’t go.” However, I can testify that God has been good to our boys, despite the inability to support them on their breaks and most holidays. Most days we all thrive in the fulfillment, reward, richness, and joy of being where we need to be.

Both my friend and I know that “staying” (in the light) equals no guarantees.  There is risk in staying, in accepting the comfortable, the known, the seen.  It doesn’t feel as risky or seem risky, but sight can be deceptive, and light can be temporary.

I felt compelled to write these thoughts as we were about to being a workers retreat in the Middle East.  The place where we were staying was situated in an olive grove.  The olives were begging to be picked, as the trees were laden. It bothered Darron and I as we walked that first day, that there was no one to harvest the olives.  People have limited sight when it comes to living in the Middle East.  Undoubtedly, stories of terrorism and war are sobering and dark.  The Kings message must be delivered with great wisdom and discernment.  We pray daily for more laborers, and we tell God that He can start with us.  Not by sight but by His spirit we press on.

Your prayers are appreciated, not only for us and my friend and her children, but also for your own sight and how you are willing to respond when you can’t see ahead.  I know several of my friends, that read this blog, are on journeys where they can’t see.  Prayers and courage to each of you, there is light and sight soon to come! I would love to hear any of your thoughts and reflections about faith and sight or lack-there-of and how you have learned to navigate darkness.

“When God asks you to do something that you cannot do, you will face a crisis of belief …What you do in response to His invitation reveals what you believe about God regardless of what you say.”  Experiencing God, pg. 58, Henry T. Blackaby

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

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