Is My Life More Than A Tragedy?
My trip to Leader Dogs for the Blind in Michigan last month was a blessing for many different reasons.
The main reason, of course, is that I came back with my wonderful guide dog Jackson. He is such a gentleman and has truly changed my life already.
One of the other main reasons it was such a great trip is because of all of the people that I met. There were about twelve other people in my class at Leader Dog, and everyone was from different places and backgrounds with varying ages, careers, and even ranges of vision.
No, not everyone who receives a guide dog is totally blind.
Actually, people who are completely blind, like myself, are in the minority.
Of the other totally blind guide dog clients in my class, only 3 of us had lost our sight later in life. The other individuals had been born blind, and as I got to know them, it really changed my perspective on my own blindness.
I lost my sight suddenly, unexpectedly, and in a pretty horrific way.
Jackson giving Sara Claudia kisses while Sara Claudia leans back laughing.
To me, my blindness has always been considered a tragedy.
To someone who was born blind, however, what I consider a tragedy is simply what they consider their lifestyle.
It is all they have ever known.
Don’t get me wrong, blindness is still very challenging for those individuals, but our varying experiences and perspectives do cause us to think differently about a very similar disability.
It began to dawn on me that when I look at my blindness as a tragedy, it can have negative impacts on my life.
It can cause me to feel limited, sorry for myself, and bring down my whole outlook on my life. Looking at my disability as a lifestyle, although a challenging one, can help me feel more motivated and positive to face the barriers it may pose.
A change in perspective is such a powerful thing!
When we look at our lives from an earthly perspective, it can cause the same negative attitude.
Because, as humans dwelling here on earth, we have shortcomings.
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
(Colossians 3:5, ESV)
It’s true, we live in a fallen world.
There is evil and sin all around us and even within us. However, when we know Christ, it gives us the opportunity to completely change our perspectives and our lives… here on earth and eternally.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
(Colossians 3:1-2, ESV)
Similar to how I once viewed my blindness, without Christ, our lives are only a tragedy…devoid of hope or light.
Text that says, "With Christ, however, we have been wiped clean and born anew."
With Christ, however, we have been wiped clean and born anew. We can let go of who we once were or what the world tempts us to be and we can shift our focus towards who God says we are when Christ dwells in us.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all this put-on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
(Colossians 3:12-15, ESV)
My blindness is more than a tragedy, a disability, or a hardship.
It is a lifestyle, an opportunity, and a way to share God’s glory.
Likewise, our lives here on earth are more than a constant battle with sin, temptation, and evil.
With Christ in us, our lives are an opportunity to foster and share God’s kindness, compassion, humility, love, and peace with others.
That, my friends, is far from a tragedy!
