Seeing Clearly: Embracing God's Vision for Our Lives
Summary
Jesus came not just to give us existence, but to introduce us to a new, abundant quality of life—the God kind of life. Many of us are simply existing, but true living begins when we receive the clarity and vision that only God can provide. The story in John 9 of the man born blind is a powerful illustration of how our lives are shaped not just by what we see, but by how we see. Our perception determines our stewardship, our relationships, and even our ability to recognize what God is doing in and through us. Sometimes, our greatest struggles are not the result of our circumstances, but of our limited or distorted vision.
Clarity is a gift from God, and the enemy works tirelessly to keep us confused, because confusion leads to wasted time, missed opportunities, and mismanaged seasons. Yet, God is a redeemer—not just of our sins, but of our wasted years, our reputations, and our missed chances. What we have been known for does not have to be what we are remembered for. God can use even our brokenness and our “dirt” as the very material for our transformation, just as Jesus used mud to heal the blind man. When God puts His DNA on our dirt, we are empowered to do what we could never do on our own.
The miracle of sight in John 9 is not just about physical healing, but about spiritual vision. Jesus heals not only the blind man, but also the disciples’ way of seeing—challenging inherited interpretations and religious assumptions. He shifts the conversation from blame to purpose, from reason to solution. Sometimes, God trusts us with trouble so that His glory can be revealed through our lives. The process may be messy—sometimes we have to “get it out the mud”—but it is in the mud that God’s creative and redemptive power is most clearly displayed.
Clarity is contextual and seasonal. Some are unclear, some are in transition, and some are clear but lack the courage to act. Wherever we find ourselves, God meets us there, ready to remove the scales from our eyes and lead us into a season of clarity, contentment, and purpose. Our gifts are not for our own fulfillment, but for God’s assignment. When we see rightly, we can be content with where and how God has placed us, and we can walk confidently in the unique calling He has for our lives.
Key Takeaways
- The Principle of Perception: The quality and direction of our lives are shaped not just by what we see, but by how we see. Many of our struggles stem from distorted perception rather than difficult circumstances. When we ask God for clarity—on who we are, what we’re called to do, and how to steward our relationships—we accelerate into our purpose and avoid the traps of confusion and wasted seasons. [04:02]
- God Redeems Reputations and Waste: What we have been known for does not have to define our legacy. God’s redemptive power extends to our reputations, our wasted years, and our missed opportunities. He restores what was lost, and uses even our failures as instruments of His providence, ensuring that only the opinions of those critical to our destiny truly matter. [21:09]
- Vision Determines Stewardship: How we see determines how we steward. Many relationships, seasons, and resources are mismanaged not because of lack of opportunity, but because of lack of vision. When we walk in darkness—spiritually or emotionally—we are more prone to injury, move more slowly, and become dependent on others for what God intended us to receive directly from Him. [24:41]
- God Puts His DNA on Our Dirt: The miracle of the mud in John 9 is a picture of God’s creative and redemptive work. Jesus puts His DNA on our “dirt”—our brokenness, our past, our limitations—and empowers us to do what we could never do alone. Our weaknesses and flaws become the very places where God’s power is most evident, and His presence on our lives makes us more than conquerors. [40:52]
- Clarity Is Contextual, Seasonal, and Courageous: Clarity is not a one-time gift, but a journey. Sometimes we are unclear, sometimes we sense a shift, and sometimes we are clear but lack the courage to act. God meets us in every season, removes the scales from our eyes, and calls us to contentment and courage in our unique assignments. Our gifts are for God’s purposes, and true fulfillment comes from embracing His vision for our lives. [51:06]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - John 10:10 and the Purpose of Thrive
[01:10] - Upcoming Series: Crazy Church
[02:30] - Reading John 9:1-7
[04:02] - The Principle of Perception
[05:29] - The Gift of Clarity and the Enemy’s Confusion
[06:53] - God Redeems Waste and Lost Time
[08:56] - Vision Determines Stewardship
[11:47] - The Inner Circle and Unique Responsibility
[17:03] - The Seven Signs in John’s Gospel
[19:49] - God Redeems Reputations
[24:41] - The Dangers of Lack of Vision
[28:51] - Inherited Interpretations and Spiritual Blindness
[33:54] - Jesus Heals Two Types of Blindness
[35:58] - God Uses Our Trouble for His Glory
[38:05] - The Miracle of Mud: God’s DNA on Our Dirt
[45:16] - Sent to the Pool: Obedience and Transformation
[47:29] - The Epidemic of Unclarity
[51:06] - Clarity, Courage, and Contentment
[54:50] - Third Way: Training for Encounter
[58:18] - Embracing Your Unique Assignment
[59:43] - Prayer for Clarity and Closing
[01:01:19] - Generosity and Global Impact
[01:03:05] - Next Week: Crazy Church Series
[01:03:43] - Subscribe and Final Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Get It Out the Mud”
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### Bible Reading
John 9:1-7 (ESV)
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
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### Observation Questions
1. In John 9:1-7, what question do the disciples ask Jesus about the man born blind, and how does Jesus respond?
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus using mud made from his saliva to heal the blind man? ([40:52])
3. What does the sermon say about the difference between “existing” and “living” as Jesus describes in John 10:10? ([00:30])
4. How does the sermon describe the impact of a lack of vision or clarity in someone’s life? ([24:41])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to shift the disciples’ question from “who sinned” to “the works of God might be displayed in him”? What does this reveal about God’s perspective on suffering and purpose? ([35:58])
2. The sermon says, “Clarity is a gift from God, and the enemy works tirelessly to keep us confused.” Why is clarity so important in the Christian life, and what are some ways confusion can hold us back? ([05:29])
3. The pastor mentions that God can redeem not just our sins, but also our wasted years and reputations. What does it mean for God to redeem our “dirt,” and how does this relate to the story of the blind man? ([21:09])
4. The sermon talks about “spiritual blindness” and “inherited interpretations.” How can our own ways of seeing or interpreting life and Scripture keep us from experiencing what God wants to do? ([33:54])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “Sometimes our greatest struggles are not the result of our circumstances, but of our limited or distorted vision.” Can you think of a time when your perspective, rather than your situation, was the real problem? How did God help you see differently? ([04:02])
2. The pastor challenges us to pray, “Lord, I’m not asking for success or stuff, I’m asking for sight.” What area of your life do you most need God’s clarity right now? What would it look like to pray for vision instead of just solutions? ([11:03])
3. The message says, “God can use even our brokenness and our ‘dirt’ as the very material for our transformation.” Is there a part of your past or present that you see as “dirt” or weakness? How might God want to use that for His glory? ([40:52])
4. The sermon points out that “how we see determines how we steward.” Are there relationships, opportunities, or resources in your life that you might be mismanaging because you don’t see them the way God does? What’s one step you could take to see and steward them differently? ([24:41])
5. The pastor says, “What we have been known for does not have to be what we are remembered for.” Is there a label or reputation you feel stuck with? How does God’s power to redeem reputations encourage you? ([21:09])
6. The message describes three categories: unclear, in transition, and clear but lacking courage. Which category do you find yourself in right now? What would it look like for you to take a step toward clarity, contentment, or courage this week? ([51:06])
7. The sermon says, “Our gifts are not for our own fulfillment, but for God’s assignment.” Are you using your gifts for God’s purposes, or are you seeking fulfillment in other ways? What might need to change for you to embrace God’s assignment for your life? ([58:18])
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Close in prayer, asking God to remove any “scales” from our eyes, to give us clarity, and to help us walk confidently in His purpose for our lives.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Gives Us Abundant, God-Quality Life
Jesus distinguishes between merely existing and truly living, offering us not just survival but a new, abundant quality of life—His own “Zoe” life. This life is not about material abundance, but about a transformed way of being, marked by God’s presence, God’s people, and God’s principles. When we embrace this life, we move from simply getting by to thriving in every area, as we learn to see and live as God intends. [00:30]
John 10:10 (ESV)
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Reflection: In what area of your life have you been settling for mere existence instead of the abundant life Jesus offers? What is one step you can take today to invite His presence and principles into that area?
Day 2: How You See Determines How You Steward
The principle of perception teaches that the quality of your life is not just determined by what you see, but by how you see it. Many of our struggles and missed opportunities come from a lack of clarity—about ourselves, our purpose, and our relationships. When God gives us clarity, confusion loses its grip, and we are empowered to steward our time, relationships, and resources wisely, no longer wasting seasons or opportunities. [05:29]
John 9:1-7 (ESV)
"As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.' Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him, 'Go, wash in the pool of Siloam' (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing."
Reflection: Think of a relationship, responsibility, or resource you have mismanaged in the past. How might seeing it through God’s eyes change the way you steward it today?
Day 3: God Redeems Reputations and Wasted Seasons
God’s redemptive power is not limited to forgiving sins; He also redeems wasted time, missed opportunities, and even damaged reputations. What you were known for is not what you will be remembered for when God intervenes. He uses your story, even your failures, as an instrument of His providence, ensuring that only the opinions of those critical to your destiny truly matter. [21:09]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: Is there a part of your past or reputation that you need to surrender to God’s redeeming power? What would it look like to trust Him to rewrite your story starting today?
Day 4: Jesus Puts His DNA on Our Dirt
When Jesus healed the blind man with mud made from His saliva, it symbolized how He puts His divine DNA on our human “dirt.” Our weaknesses, brokenness, and limitations are transformed when touched by Christ—He makes us new, enabling us to do what we could never do on our own. Even with our flaws, His presence and power on our lives make us more than conquerors, equipped for every assignment He gives. [41:46]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: What is one area of “dirt” or weakness in your life where you need to invite Jesus to put His DNA on it? How can you step out in faith today, trusting His power to work through you?
Day 5: Clarity from God Breaks Confusion and Unlocks Purpose
Many people live in a fog of confusion, unclear about their purpose, gifts, or next steps. True clarity comes from God, and it is both seasonal and contextual—sometimes we are clear, sometimes we are shifting, and sometimes we are afraid to act on what we know. God meets us in every category, removing the scales from our eyes so we can see, act, and be content in our God-given assignment, no longer striving to be someone we’re not. [51:57]
Psalm 32:8 (ESV)
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."
Reflection: Are you in a season of confusion, transition, or fear about your next step? Take a moment to ask God for clarity and courage—what is one practical action you can take today to move forward in faith?
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