Don't Let Your Blindspot End Your Journey

Recently, while driving, I had to rely on help from others to see if there were any dangers around us. We had so much in the vehicle, much of my view was blocked. These are called blindspots. I don't mind receiving help from those who can see what I can't. I guess I could get all embarrassed about it, and worry that people would think I am not a good driver because I can't see all that is going on everywhere, all the time... But how foolish would that be? Am I a better driver when I am too concerned with my image to receive help from those around me, or when I ask for help to avoid what could be a wreck?

We all have blindspots… areas in our lives where we cannot see what is about to cause us trouble. Blindspots often hide inconsistencies, which will at some point become very apparent. Denying their existence does not make them go away. We have a tendency to fool ourselves about ourselves. The Bible says that the heart of man is deceitful. We justify in our own lives what we find offensive in the lives of others. Even a maturing/mature believer should have people in his/her life to help them see the blindspots.

I know some people reading this will say, “I don’t have blindspots. But if I do, the Holy Spirit will reveal them to me. I don’t need a person to do that.” Well, the main way God reveals your blindspots is through other people. The only thing worse than having blindspots is choosing to have deafspots where you won’t listen to people trying to warn you about what is in your blindspot.

I think we have a hard time admitting our problems to ourselves and each other because we are afraid that others will think less of us if we admit to short-comings in certain areas of life. Satan tries to convince us that if people see the chinks in our armor, they won't take us seriously, or we will seem to be a hypocrite. But it is when we act like we don't have weak areas that we are hypocritical, and people pick up on that quickly. At the end of the day, you may be the only person in the room that doesn't think you have issues. Everyone else sees what you won't. Most people don't mind fellowshipping with or learning from someone who is humble enough to admit their weaknesses. But pride, in all its forms is a major turnoff. People will not respect someone who refuses to admit they have flaws.

Blindspots don't have to destroy us. In fact, the blindspot is only a problem if there is no one there to tell you what is hidden by the blindspot, or if you won’t listen. God's way is for us to allow others to speak into our lives and reveal those things we can't see before they wreck us. So, what is in your blind spot? I know, it isn't fair to ask you that. Maybe you should ask someone who is traveling with you.

One writer in the Bible put it this way, “Watch out, brothers, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.” (Hebrews 3:12-13)

The word translated “encourage” in that passage comes from the same word Jesus used to describe what the Holy Spirit will do for the believer in “coming alongside to help”. We have blindspots. Perhaps God allows us to have these so we will know our need for Him and others.  Be open to the wisdom of others in your life today. And with the right attitude help others see what they can’t so they can arrive safely at their destination.

 

Find more of David’s work at Heart Of Ministry.

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