May 16: Insight Post by David Schleyer
Weekly Reading: John 9:1-12
Friday Reflection
Spiritual Sight Is Just as Important as Physical Sight: While the blind man received physical sight, Jesus also emphasized the importance of spiritual sight; recognizing who He is as the Son of God. This story encourages us to seek not only physical healing but also spiritual understanding and insight.
Friday Verse
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Psalm 119:18 (NLT)
Friday Questions
In what ways do I need to ask God to open my spiritual eyes to see Him more clearly? How can I grow in spiritual understanding and faith?
Friday Insight Post
by David Schleyer
The other night, I was standing in front of our pantry, completely convinced we were out of rice. I stared at the shelves for a solid minute, annoyed, opening and closing the door like it might magically appear. I even said out loud, “We’re definitely out of rice.” Then my wife walked over, did not say a word, reached in, and there it was. Right in front of me.
I laughed, but she did not let it slide. “You’re not looking to see,” she said. “You’re just looking to grab.”
That line hit harder than I expected. Because she was not wrong. Not just about the rice, but about how I tend to move through life. I often look at things just long enough to get what I want, or think I need, without really seeing what is actually there.
And it made me think about the man in John 9. Born blind. Sitting by the road. Then Jesus comes along and changes everything.
The part of the story we usually focus on is the miracle. Jesus gives the man physical sight. But there is more going on here than just opening eyes. Jesus is showing us that spiritual sight matters just as much, if not more, than physical vision. Because seeing clearly is not just about your eyes. It is about your heart, your mind, and your awareness of who Jesus really is.
This man does not ask for healing. He does not chase Jesus down. Jesus notices him, makes mud with His spit (weird, yes), and tells him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. The guy listens, follows through, and comes back seeing.
But here is what stands out to me. It is not just that his eyes worked. It is that his perspective changed. First, he sees faces. Then, he begins to recognize truth. He starts to understand who Jesus really is. Not just someone who fixed his vision, but someone who helped him see life in a whole new way.
And that is what I need too. Not just clearer plans, or answers to prayer, or solutions to stress. I need to see Jesus more clearly. I need my eyes opened to the ways He is working in places I have overlooked, avoided, or simply missed.
That moment at the pantry reminded me that sometimes the thing we are searching for is right in front of us. But we are looking with the wrong eyes. We want quick fixes. God wants transformation. We want convenience. God offers clarity.
So here is my personal challenge, and maybe it can be yours too. This week, do not just look around. Ask God to help you see. Really see. Ask Him to open your spiritual eyes to truth, to people, to grace, and to the small moments where He is already moving.
Because sometimes, what we think is missing is actually right there. We just need to stop grabbing and start seeing.
David Schleyer
Elementary Small Group Leader
New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org