Author Darlene J Conard

I was filled with reluctance and determination as I stood amidst the clutter in my utility room. “I know I need to, but I don’t want to,” I mutter. At this moment, I earnestly declare, “The flesh is weak, but the spirit is willing!” As I sifted through my belongings, I realized that what I might dismiss as mere clutter could be a hidden treasure for someone else. When I finish dragging everything out, my foyer transforms into what can only be described as a hoarder’s paradise—an overwhelming array of items sprawled in chaotic disarray. Dust dances through the air, settling thickly on surfaces, making my apartment appear to have experienced a minor explosion of debris.

Navigating through this maze of forgotten possessions is no small feat; each step down the hall feels like an expedition, with me digging through the emotional and physical clutter to create a tenuous path from room to room. I can’t help but wonder how long it will truly take to restore order to this space, to lovingly sort through piles of clothes, stacks of books, and countless odds and ends that have accumulated over time. The task ahead feels monumental, yet a small part of me is excited at discovering lost gems hidden within this jumble.

Chaos creates an overwhelming atmosphere.  So much truth is in that!

What if I told you that chaos is a tool for God? “No, He isn’t the author of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV) He works in it.

In the book of Esther, Haman’s lust for power drove him to deceive the king. All it took was the right strategy since he was the king’s right-hand man, no problem! “Here is the plan. I’ll convince King Ahasuerus that the Jews are enemies.” Mordecai knew Esther was in the right place at the right time. He depended on his niece, whom he raised as his own, to intercede on their behalf.  (Read the book of Esther)

Arrogance led Haman straight into the very snare he built for Mordecai. Chaos ceased in God’s time. Israel was spared.

Jesus, upon entering Bethsaida, encountered a blind man in need of a miracle. “Touch him, my Lord,” the people urged. (Mark 8:22-20) First, He touched the man’s eyes with His spit and asked, “What do you see?” The blind man looked up and replied, “I see men as trees, walking.” At first, he didn’t truly see. Have you ever had your eyes examined? Sometimes drops are put in your eyes to dilate them. It can be overwhelming to want to see clearly. The second time, Jesus placed His hands upon the man’s eyes. His vision was restored as if he had always been able to see. Chaos only lasted for a moment; then, by the touch of the Master’s hands, the order was restored.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”   Romans 8:28 KJV

“God has the power to restore order to chaotic things. Before doing so, everything must be disorganized and misplaced. But there’s no need to fret, as He has already paved the way for this restoration. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105 KJV)

Our natural sight betrays us. Focus on what God said He would do.  “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go. I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psalm 32:8 KJV) His eye is our compass. It says eye. “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”  Single vision is a term that confuses me when ordering glasses online. It taught me something valuable, though. The two lenses are created for optical correction for a single distance, meaning only one. Focus is one way, not two, three, or four. Jesus says, “But if thine eye is evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness; how great is that darkness!”  Proverbs says, ^“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”  To have an open vision, our circumstances mustn’t blind us, and we believe in a physical manifestation of God’s order.

I have a remarkable uncle who is visually impaired yet incredibly skilled at counting money with precision. Despite his blindness, he enjoys “watching” TV and experiencing “sightseeing” by vividly imagining them. When it comes to counting change, he relies on his acute memory for the unique characteristics of coins, such as their size, texture, and engravings, running his fingers over them to discern their value. His resilience and wisdom have been invaluable, teaching me the profound lesson of navigating life with unwavering faith rather than relying solely on what meets the eye.

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”

                                             Helen Keller

Hold on to the vision that God has given you!

Feel free to forward it to anyone you wish.  My mission is to encourage everyone to follow our Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. ©Darlene J. Conard Vision Ministries 2024.   This may not be republished or used without the author’s written consent. The photograph is AI-generated. Darlene J. Conard is also affiliated with Glory Carrier Ministries.

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