Issue 987 – Blinded – February 20, 2023
I love this reader-submitted photo because I have been in similar scenes countless times. The snow is so white, and the sun so bright it hurts the eyes. The brightness hurts your eyes.
Snow is remarkably reflective; it can bounce up to 80% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays upwards. That is why a bright sunny day can make a person squint and their eyes water. It can literally be blinding.
Snow blindness (photokeratitis) can be very painful. It’s like a sunburn but of the eyes. The symptoms can include pain in your eyes, headache, watery eyes, blurred vision and, in severe cases, temporary loss of sight.
I have been snow-blind on several occasions, not to complete blindness, but enough for my eyes to feel burnt for a couple of days. It isn’t a pleasant experience.
Snow blindness is the same phenomenon that welders can experience. Exposure to a bright welding arc can burn their eyes, creating “arc” or “flash” blindness. It is one of the reasons welders wear tinted goggles.
These forms of blindness are temporary (usually less than 48 hours) but very painful. Like any form of sunburn, the more often it happens, the more sensitive the tissue becomes and the more severe the damage.
The light of the sun can be very powerful. There is a light with even greater power, the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6
His Light brings about the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with our holy Father. It brings life from death and joy from sorrow.
The gospel can also bring sorrow. For those repeatedly exposed to it and hardened by it, blindness can result. Refusal to open your heart to the truth of Christ makes the punishment for your sin even greater.
The God of all Creation died to set people free, so how severe will the punishment be for those who choose to reject it?
Each of us is accountable for what we will do with the light of the gospel. Choose wisely.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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