Trees Walking

The Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side.

Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” They said to one another, “It is because we have no bread.” And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” And they said to him, “Seven.” Then he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Can you see anything?” And the man looked up and said, “I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Then he sent him away to his home, saying, “Do not even go into the village.” Mark 8:11-26 

We live in a time where everything needs to be instantaneous. We take a picture with our phone and send it around the world in seconds. Yet nothing that is truly good and lasting can happen in seconds. Growth always comes in stages and relationships need time to deepen. Real meaning and real change come with persistence and gratitude for each stage of our lives.

Jesus is challenged by the religious leaders and his disciples don't understand what is going on. The arguments and taunts, the snap judgments of this world are never good or lasting. The healing of the blind man even came in stages. We are invited to understand that God renews us and heals us as we grow and change, yet never gives up or abandons the process. God is not impatient with us, even when we are very impatient and confused.

Today, I ask God to give me an extra measure of patience for myself and those I serve. May we lean in to the time we have, trusting that good and lasting changes are already underway.