Sight

Sight

He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!”

John 9:11

I remember when I first heard about Amish fiction. People would make comments like, “The book was good, but the author didn’t do her research.” “I read other Amish novels, and the characters were different.” I haven’t heard that in a while. Readers now know that the Amish are as varied as any other segment of society.

It is risky to talk about THE Amish and to make generalized statements about all Amish groups in North America based on one Amish community. Typically, most Amish groups forbid owning automobiles, tapping electricity from public utility lines, using self-propelled farm machinery, owning a television, radio, and computer, attending high school and college, joining the military, and initiating divorce. Members are expected to speak a German or Swiss dialect and to adhere to the dress standards of their group. Most groups have battery-powered lights on their carriages but the most conservative affiliations use kerosene lanterns. . . . In some regions of the country power lawn mowers are permitted but not in others. The women in one affiliation are permitted to use only treadle (foot-powered) sewing machines, but those in another group may power their sewing machines with batteries. Some communities are wealthy and others are rather poor. Clearly, diversity abounds even within affiliations and local church districts.

The diversity we see in the world reminds us that sometimes there isn’t only one right way. This is a lesson Jesus made sure we paid attention to. Just look at how Jesus healed the blind: sometimes He healed with words. Sometimes He healed by touch. Jesus also healed by mixing spittle with mud and placing it on a man’s eyes. These instances show us that it’s not the method that’s important but rather faith in Him that matters.

Dear heavenly Father, we like systems. We want check-off lists, but You have shown us there isn’t always only one right way to do things or fix things. But when it comes to salvation, I thank You that You are the Way!