At one time or another, we have all experienced something blocking our view. Perhaps it was a stop sign behind an overgrown bush, a car coming around a bend you couldn’t quite see, or even a fogged windshield during a storm. In moments like that, even ordinary things suddenly become more difficult because we are forced to move forward without seeing clearly. Sometimes life itself feels exactly the same way. We are forced to move forward without a clear view of where we are going.  It happens with our spiritual life too. I invite to read more.

Nearly two months ago, during Holy Week, my vision was obscured during Mass. My wife and I arrived at church just as the Holy Thursday service was beginning. Unfortunately we were running late, so we quietly slipped into the nearest available seats, seats we had never sat in before. The church is built in the shape of a cross, and we were seated in one of the side arms of the sanctuary, looking toward the front at an angle. We suddenly realized that a large wooden support column stood directly between us and the altar area. Whether we leaned to the right or left our view remained partially blocked.

As I sat there, I could not help but think, this is life. Sometimes life is difficult simply because our vision is obscured. We do not see the whole picture. We do not always understand what God is doing. We cannot make sense of why something is happening, or why it is taking so long, or why things seem to be going in the wrong direction. The reality is, our view is often blocked.

Think about this. Scripture reminds us, At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror (1 Corinthians 13:12). We see enough to know God is there, but not enough to understand everything. That is why Paul also says, we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith is not needed when everything is clear. Faith is needed when something stands in the way.

This begs the question, what do we do when our vision is obscured? Most of us try to do what we did in church. We lean. We look for a better angle. We try to figure it out. And there is nothing wrong with that. We should seek wisdom and understanding. But eventually we reach a point where no amount of leaning gives us a full view. In that moment, we are faced with a choice. Will we trust God even when we cannot see clearly?

Much of the pain in life comes from this very place. We do not see danger soon enough. We do not recognize temptation quickly enough. We do not understand another person’s wounds deeply enough. We do not see the consequences of a choice clearly enough. And sometimes, because our vision is limited, we stumble.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely (Proverbs 3:5). Those words matter most when our understanding falls short. God is not asking us to figure everything out. He is asking us to trust Him in the middle of what we cannot see.

And here is what struck me that night. Even though our view was partially blocked, the service still continued. The prayers were still prayed. The meaning of the evening was still present. Just because we could not see everything did not mean that something important was not taking place.

That is true in our lives as well. There are seasons when our understanding is incomplete, and yet God is still at work. His grace is still present. His plan is still unfolding. The hiddenness does not mean the absence of God.

Some of us are in seasons right now where the view is blocked. We cannot see what comes next. We cannot understand why life has taken the turn it has. And because we cannot see clearly, life feels harder than it otherwise might. But one day that will change.

Paul continues, then I shall know fully, as I am fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12). What is now hidden will one day be revealed. What is now confusing will one day make sense. Until then, we live with obscured vision, and we trust, because our hope does not depend on how clearly we see, but on the One who sees all things clearly.

Heavenly Father, when my vision is obscured and I cannot understand what You are doing, help me to trust You more than I trust my own sight. In the places where life feels difficult because I do not see clearly, give me peace, patience, and faith. Remind me that what is hidden from me is never hidden from You, and teach me to walk forward with confidence, even when the road ahead is not fully visible. Amen.