I got a new pair of glasses not that long ago. At the optometrist I was sitting in the chair and I hear the same familiar question, “Read the smallest line you can read”. I always answer with the same joke…E. (He’s never amused) Sure, I’ve had glasses since I was 12 but as I get older it just isn’t the same. As I get older my eyes need a more critical exam. My newest pair are maxed out trifocals (regular, reading and the new “monitor viewing” line-less sections) add transitioning for sun and I’m almost giddy. Ha, pretty sad being so excited for having defective viewing. This got me thinking about vision…what is that all about? 20/20? Being nearsighted? Farsighted? Ever been blindsided? Most of us, even those without glasses, have used hindsight at some point, right?
Let’s imagine the Good Doctor is stepping into the exam room…He has a few questions for us. Time for the exam…let’s see how we do.
This all got me to wonder how’s God’s vision? That’s a scary thought. Come on, be honest. We know He can see all but hope He only really sees our good stuff. But rest assured He sees all.
Job 4:21 (NKJV) For His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all his steps.
But not only does God see us but He cares about every step…He thinks about our steps. Sometimes I wonder if He sits on the throne and scratches His head over us. (no He doesn’t, He made us, He knows us so well)
Proverbs 5:21 (NKJV) For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths.
Don’t we find comfort in knowing the scripture where we hear that if God knows when a sparrow falls how much more does He care for us?
I find comfort in knowing God has His eyes on me. Sure, I feel uncomfortable knowing that He sees my flaws, foibles and yes, my sins. But like a father who sees his child tripping and falling from a stupid mistake He sees and comes to me, picks me up even as I am embarrassed or ashamed for my foolish actions. Looking into His Word leads me to correction and instruction in righteousness. And oh how He delights when He sees my repentance.
Psalm 32:8 (NKJV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
Maybe we also have to ask, “How do we see God?” Do we “see” Him often by reading His Word and by visiting with Him in prayer? Maybe He just seems like that distant relative we see during the holidays or at weddings and funerals. (well, we visit His house at best by invite) Toughy…would we recognize Him if we bumped into Him on the street?
Have you ever tried to see you as God sees you? That should encourage you quite a bit. But it causes me to also ask, do we see others as God sees them? (Gulp!) Funny thing how we want God to see us and its so much different than how we think God should see others.
We could continue in our insightful ponderings and ask “Do others see Christ in us?”
Have we ever told someone we saw Christ in them?
2 Corinthians 8:18-21 (NKJV) And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind, avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us- providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
So how is your spiritual vision? Is it time for a more critical examination? Are you nearsighted? Only seeing yourself and things only important to you? Are you farsighted? Looking ahead to God’s plans for your ministry, the church or forward to Christ’s return? Have you been blindsided by troubles and trials where you need your Father to lift you up and hold you? Has Satan been messing with you by taunting you with hindsight of your past?
I guess we’re back to needing to see ourselves and others as God sees us.
Soooo…how’s your vision? Care to join me in a prayer from a familiar praise song?
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up
Shinin’ in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy
(written by Paul Baloche)
– Pastor Steve