May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

~1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV

The Question

A conversation with my son prompted me to think about blind spots.

My middle son itched for his driver’s license. Every chance he got, he commandeered the keys to my “embarrassing mom car” and adjusted the seat, steering wheel, and mirrors to his personal specifications. Truth be told, he was a good little driver. He was careful and considerate of others and didn’t terrify me as his big brother did.

One night, Logan eased into the middle lane of the freeway and asked, “Mom, am I in that car to the right’s blind spot?” 

“Hmm, I don’t know, Son, but it’s always smart to be careful. Just keep an eye out for the cars around you.”

When I drive, I try to mind my blind spots, but I’ve never really thought about being in someone else’s. It makes me wonder how often God shakes things up to reveal the blind spots in our relationships.

• One minute, you’re married for life, and the next, your spouse threatens to pack up and leave.
• A forever friendship suddenly becomes strained and awkward.
• No matter how hard you’re working, your boss seems suspicious of your every move.
• The loss of a parent brings out all the ugly in a family dynamic.

What do we do when God sheds light on things about our relationships that need to change?

• Calloused attitudes, ingrained and ignored
• Selfish motives, justified as pursuing a dream
• Gossipy conversations, disguised as venting
• Kindred spirits, morphed into codependency
• Buried wounds, unhealed and concealed

The Answer

Healthy responses boil down to two things.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.

~Mark 12:30-31 NIV

The Lord wants our earthly relationships to reflect the beauty of a vibrant relationship with Him. For that to happen, our commitment to Him must be our number one priority. God will turn us on our heads and shake out every ounce of pride and selfishness hidden in our pockets. He will shake the foundation of any earthly relationship competing for the throne of our hearts. He will do whatever it takes to make us holy.

Think of some blind spots in your relationships.

Lord, thank You for loving me enough to shake things up in me. As much as it hurts to deal with heart hurts and relationship challenges, I understand the purpose for the pain. I want You to reign in me so I crave You like a desert dweller craves a cool drink. I want my relationships to have Your fingerprints all over them. Do whatever it takes to make me holy–all for Your glory and the good of Your people. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2024: Blind Spots: Lee Merrill: All Rights Reserved