Summer of Depth Devotional Day 32

Welcome to Day 32 of our Summer of Depth Devotional and Reading Plan.

Most of us wish growth happened overnight.

We'd love to pray one prayer, break one habit, forgive one hurt, or make one decision and wake up completely different the next morning. But if you've walked with Jesus for any length of time, you know that's not always how transformation works.

Today's passage continues to remind us that Jesus is just as present in the process as He is in the breakthrough.

Now, let's go deep into His Word together.

Before anything else, slow down and read: Mark 8:22–30.

What is happening here? Spit, people or trees, and strong commands from Jesus? This is one of the most unusual miracles in the Gospels.

Jesus touches a blind man, asks what he sees, and the man gives an honest answer: "I see people; they look like trees walking around." His sight has improved, but it isn't clear. So Jesus touches him again, and this time he sees everything distinctly.

Why would Jesus heal someone this way? Did Jesus mess up the first time? Did his all-powerful miracle working need a second try? Doubtful.

Certainly He had the power to heal the man instantly. Yet Mark includes the only miracle that happens in stages. Let’s consider Jesus’ purpose behind this. What if this happens for a very intentional reason…possibly because all of us know what it's like to live somewhere between blindness and clarity.

The reality is, there are seasons when we can clearly see that God is changing us, but the picture is still a little fuzzy…and we know we're not finished. Old habits still linger. Healing still feels incomplete. Questions remain unanswered. Things remain unclear. It's tempting to think something has gone wrong because we're not where we hoped we'd be.

But Jesus doesn't seem frustrated by the process. He stays with the man until the work is complete. He stays with you until the work is complete. What an incredible truth for all of us. Hear this and believe it today: our growth may happen more slowly than we'd like, but our Savior never gives up on us.

Practice:

Take a few quiet moments today and finish these two sentences:

"Jesus, thank You that I'm no longer..."

"Jesus, I'm trusting You because I'm not yet..."

Thank Him for the ways He's already changed you, then entrust to Him the places where you're still growing. Amen.