The human body has several senses through which it encounters the world around it, we have ears to hear sound, we have taste buds to discern flavors in food and drink, we have skin with which we can translate texture, we have scent receptors in our noses through which we can discern attractive and repulsive smells, and of course there is the sense of sight.
For most people the ability to see is a very important part of life. We can't drive a car, or do a variety of other activities without sight. And we readily recognize the challenges and limitations faced by those who have lost their sight. I was reminded of this facet of daily living recently as I went in for a routine eye exam, and followed that up with ordering a new pair of glasses.
As of the writing of this post I am wearing those new lenses, and my eyes are still adjusting to the new apparatus, but the longer I wear them the more comfortable my eyes become in seeing the world around me.
I am fascinated by sight, because the various components required for this sense to work. Our eyes are dependent on light, without it we can't use our eye balls. If there is enough light to see, the lenses in our eyes are working to focus on objects near and far in order to give us a picture of our surroundings. And that information which is light received in the eye ball has to be translated via the optic nerve and interpreted in the brain.
Wow! That is so complex!
And, the ability to see gives us a profound metaphor for the spiritual life.
If you read the accounts of Jesus' life in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, you will find stories where Jesus healed people of literal blindness. There were numerous people whose paths crossed with Jesus, and when that happened they asked for him to restore their sight. But, there are many types of blindness, and Jesus came to heal all of them.
Another form of blindness Jesus came to heal was spiritual blindness. This is even more complex than the physical body's process for receiving light and translating it into sight. Spiritual vision is shaped by a variety of factors, but Jesus comes to provide us with clarity of sight, and ultimately release from the factors that blind us to spiritual truth.
So how does one know where they are blind and where there vision is clear?
Good question! Thanks for asking!
I won't pretend that I have all my vision ducks in a row; rather, I will begin by acknowledging that I am certain I don't see the full picture yet, but God continues to touch my eyes, open my heart and clarify the spiritual reality around me and most importantly inside me.
I believe the first step in the process is coming to Jesus with empty hands and asking him to touch our eyes. "Lord, reveal to me where I am blind. Open the eyes of my heart. Touch me so that I may see more clearly who you are, who I am, and what you are calling me to."
It's a simple prayer, but hopefully in God's grace and timing we will find that we are able to see with greater clarity and focus the vision God has for His Creation, and our part in it.
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