In college on Wednesday we spent some time reflecting on Jesus' healing of the two blind men (Matthew 20:29). A story was given to us about children who were healed of congenital blindness in the early days of cataract surgery. Many of them never adapted to their new life of sightedness, often closing their eyes to navigate at home, and feeling overwhelmed by all the sights that pressed in on them.

I've been reflecting on this - on whether we really want our eyes opened to God's reality, or whether it's safer, and easier, to remain blind.

There's a song we sing at church which has the following chorus:

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I go from nothing to eternity

And there we stand or sit, mouthing these words, ignorant of the fact we are playing with dynamite. What if God took us at our word? What if he really did open up our eyes to the realities we haven't seen - about ourselves, about the world around us? What if he really did break our hearts as his is broken, so that we know the passion he has for the lost and broken, so that we know that passion that took Jesus to the cross?

These questions feel very relevant as our trip to Calcutta draws near. What does God want to show us? What does he want to teach us - about ourselves, about his heart for the lost and broken? Will I allow my eyes to be opened? Will I allow my heart to be broken?

Playing with dynamite, indeed.