The Wind in the Trees

In her autobiography, Helen Keller explains a mystery that has puzzled me since childhood—how could a blind and deaf person come to understand language? She says that after experiencing only frustration and anger as Ann Sullivan tried to teach her the meaning of words, the “aha moment” came while they strolled together in the yard. Here is the account in her own words.

“We walked down the path to the well-house, attracted by the fragrance of the honeysuckle with which it was covered. Someone was drawing water and my teacher placed my hand under the spout. As the cool stream gushed over one hand she spelled into the other the word water, first slowly, then rapidly. I stood still, my whole attention fixed upon the motions of her fingers. Suddenly I felt a misty consciousness as of something forgotten—a thrill of returning thought; and somehow the mystery of language was revealed to me. I knew then that “w-a-t-e-r” meant the wonderful cool something that was flowing over my hand. That living word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set it free! . . . As we returned to the house every object which I touched seemed to quiver with life. That was because I saw everything with the strange, new sight that had come to me.”

First of all, what a perfect metaphor for an individual blinded to the spiritual realm! Ephesians 4:18 tells us that at one time, we were all “darkened in our understanding and separated from the life of God.”

Helen’s life is also a beautiful picture of the thrill we experience when our eyes open with “a misty consciousness” to the invisible world of Spirit.

Jesus says, in effect, God is trying to teach us the language of the kingdom. He’s spelling into our hands words such as:

• l-o-v-e
• p-e-a-c-e
• k-i-n-d-n-e-s-s.
• m-e-r-c-y
• g-e-n-t-l-n-e-s-s
• l-o-n-g-s-u-f-f-e-r-i-n-g.

Now even though it is crystal clear that words like these describe the nature of the kingdom Jesus taught, I often find Christians resist. Seems they’re afraid of a worldly, feelings-centered love. But such is not our focus.

Another more subtle and, I think, more likely reason people resist Christ’s message is the pain, suffering and evil of our world. Tragically, it can cause us to harden our hearts. Jesus put it this way, the increase of lawlessness would cause the love of many to grow cold.

Helen Keller had a remarkable awakening to language, light and joy because her “whole attention” was fixed on the finger writing on her hand. Focus was everything. Focusing on either the world’s counterfeit love or the world’s evil rather than God’s attachment-love means we will miss out on much joy and spiritual excitement.

Do you or others you know resist the meekness and gentleness of the kingdom Jesus taught?

What helps you to focus on God’s voice or God’s presence with you? Studying scripture? Other spiritual works? Music? Walks in nature? Something else?