Blind Spots
I think horses are beautiful animals. That being said, I’ve never spent much time around horses. I have ridden horses several times but mostly when I was younger. I haven’t been on a horse in at least ten years. But I just think there is something stunning about them. I really enjoy watching them race. I’ve never been to a race. Only watched them on TV. But it sure is understandable why the Kentucky Derby is called the “Most Exciting 2 Minutes in Sports!”
Anyway, if you watch a horse race, you will notice that each horse has a piece of equipment on their faces that keeps them from seeing what is beside them. This piece of equipment is called blinders. In definition, a blinder is: a pair of small screens attached to a horse's bridle to prevent it seeing sideways or behind. Blinders prevent the horse from seeing another horse that might be gaining on them and therefore distract them from running to its full potential. Basically, it’s a purposefully made blind spot.
What is a blind spot? If you drive, you know! Every vehicle has a blind spot. Some are worse than others. But they all have them. Webster’s defines a blind spot as such: a portion of a field that cannot be seen or inspected with available equipment. While driving a car, there are simply things that will get in your blind spot. That’s why it’s crucial to use all of your mirrors and even keeping your head on a swivel when changing lanes or merging. Blind spots can be dangerous!
The same can be said of spiritual blind spots. I think those are a real thing too. In fact, here is how I define a spiritual blind spot: a tendency to ignore something…especially because it is difficult or unpleasant. We all have things that are difficult that we would rather not deal with. Difficult conversations. Or maybe even things in our lives that have too much control over us. We don’t want to deal with it because it is embarrassing. Or even humiliating. What would others think of us if they knew?
I get it. Because I have spiritual blind spots too.
Now, scripture obviously doesn’t speak specifically to the topic of blind spots. But there are plenty of warnings in the Bible for not dealing with or even covering up sin in our lives.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 states, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
Basically, spiritual blind spots will cause us to want things we were never meant to want and love things we were never meant to love!
What is it that you want or love that you know doesn’t honor God? That’s a spiritual blind spot. If you leave it alone, it won’t just go away. The temptation and desire will continue to grow. Take off your blinders. Deal with the issue. Pray for repentance and give it over to God. He will give you the strength to take off your blinders and overcome those desires. In fact, He’s the only One who can!
