John Milton lost his physical eyesight, but he still had inner vision

They lived in different countries in different centuries and had decidedly different purposes and styles in their writing, but British John Milton (today’s focus) and American James Thurber (yesterday’s focus) shared one characteristic which would have ended the writing career of less-determined souls: Each man went blind at the height of his career but kept up his work by enlisting or even demanding help from family members and others as secretaries or stenographers. Thurber referred to his second wife Helen as his “seeing-eye wife.”

Born on this date, December 9, in 1608, Milton is best remembered for his book-length Paradise Lost, a poetic portrayal of Adam and Eve’s loss of innocence and expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Other Bible-based works followed: Paradise Regained, focusing on the temptations of Christ, and Samson Agonistes, a re-telling of the life of the strong man from the book of Judges.

He had intended to study for the ministry but was offended by what he perceived as the lack of spiritual commitment among leading churchmen. In an early poem, “Lycidas,” he railed against the emptiness of preaching, using the metaphor of the clergy as shepherds and the congregations as sheep to declare,”The hungry Sheep look up, and are not fed.”

Though he had strong Christian convictions, Milton did not isolate himself in an ivory tower for religious reflection. Earlier, he was engaged in politics, writing lengthy tracts on the need to improve education and on the necessity for a free press. It turned out, he had a moral blind spot regarding publishing: He wanted freedom of the press for those who shared his views but not for others. After decrying censorship, he became an official censor himself for a time. A reminder that God can use us despite our mental or spiritual blind spots.

As he coped with his blindness, Milton wrote the sonnet, “When I Consider How My Light Is Spent.” He felt his “one Talent which is death to hide” was “Lodg’d with me useless,” though his soul was “more bent to serve” his Maker. But Milton worked through his discouragement, determining that God in time would show him what he could do. Meantime, Milton concluded, “They also serve who only stand and wait.”

Religious activists often declare, “I’d rather wear out than rust out.” Milton could never be accused of rusting out. In the Advent season, we can take heart from his determination to do whatever work for God he was able to do.

Through his physical blindness, his spiritual eyes saw he could still be useful. Advent is a time for assessing things we can do for others, in our homes, in our neighborhoods, on our jobs.

A Verse for Today

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol [the grave] to which you are going”  (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

 Each day through New Year’s Day, January 1, 2013, inspirational thoughts will appear, in keeping with Advent, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.  These are from my book, Reflections for the Festive Seasons.  © 2002.  All rights reserved.