By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
The Lord speaks to me in various ways. The Bible, conversations, prayer time, writing in my journal, life experiences. When He speaks, it’s not an audible voice, just a still, small voice within my spirit.
Recently, the Lord spoke to me when a pastor from my church shared a message and referenced the story of the blind man Jesus healed with mud. Here’s a refresher if you’re not familiar with the story:
“As [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing” (John 9:1-7).
This was not the first time I’d heard this story. It was, however, the first time a random phrase popped into my mind while listening to it. God made dirt, and dirt doesn’t hurt.
Weird? Maybe. But this is often how the Lord speaks to me. And when the Lord speaks, I pay close attention.
Now to be fair, this was not the first time I’d heard the expression. Previously, it was in the context of not worrying about getting dirty. However, on this Sunday morning, the Lord had a spiritual lesson I wasn’t expecting.
I had always thought Jesus’ method for healing this blind man a bit strange. Spitting into dirt, mixing it up, and smearing it on the man’s eyes—really? Wasn’t there another way? But just as the thought entered my mind, Holy Spirit began expanding my understanding through other verses:
- “Then said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:26-27).
- “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were all present at creation. I suddenly realized, Jesus wasn’t just healing the man. He was revealing who He was—God in the flesh.
First, God created the earth. Then, He created us from the earth. Then Jesus, using that very same earth, healed the blind man. But the spiritual lesson didn’t stop there. God also reminded me, not only did He create mankind from the dirt (dust), but He also created flowers, trees, plants, and animals. And these, too, have properties to heal. Fruits and vegetables provide nourishment for our bodies. Flowers provide beauty for our souls. Trees provide oxygen to breathe. Plants provide medicine that heals. And animals nourish us both body and soul.
As I was preparing to post this devotion, the Lord gave me one more lesson, and I thought it was interesting. Maybe you will too.
I wondered why Genesis 2:7 referenced dirt as dust. Then it hit me; the difference between the word dirt and dust is what’s between the D and the T—which is US. The GODHEAD created US from the DUST.
I absolutely LOVE God’s Word! Every time we are open to hear from the Lord, He gives us something new.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (John 1:1-5).
‘For the word of God is alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12).
Looking for a way to connect with God daily? Check out our daily devotional books: Living in Truth Day by Day *** Living in Truth Mind, Body, Spirit *** Living in Truth: A Christmas Devotional.
Call to Action:
- Share this post with someone who needs encouragement.
- Leave a comment.
- Subscribe for more faith-based, biblical encouragement.