Double Vision
Seeing with your eyes is natural. Learning to see with your soul takes new eyes that come from seeing through the eyes of Jesus.
“So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel. And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants.”
Genesis 35:2-3, 9-11
We learn a lesson from Jacob that is as practical today as it was thousands of years ago. Before we can see how God is present or purposeful, we need to purify. The experiences of our lives and circumstances can cloud our vision. It can make us think small, live small, and believe in a small God. Jacob says get rid of the false gods. Fear, shame, and guilt are false Gods. They have no place in your heart. What false Gods do you need to purify? Then you will have eyes to see how God has promises and a purpose for your life.
“Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation. My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, Lord?
Psalms 35:1, 9-10, 22-23, 28
Humans were made in the image of God and have been making Him in our image sense. This can result in a small God with limitations. David is singing out with a heart that praises the Almighty God. The One who with a word spoke and created and with a word speaks and contends for us. How do you see God? Is there anywhere you need to believe for more, imagine Him greater, and increase the awe you have of God?
“And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up...a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Ecclesiastes 4:4, 6, 9-10, 12
The common view in Western culture is to do things on your own. The American dream is fame, fortune, and fitness that is made by oneself. Jesus teaches a new way of looking at the world. Wisdom says that you are made to live in community and that who you choose to journey through life with matters. Where have you gone off on your own and how would it benefit you to connect on a deeper level with God and others. The third strand in our life is meant to be the Holy Spirit.
“say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come...Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way…only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return."
Isaiah 35:4-5, 8-10
God knows us so personally. He knows we have fears which is why He says to not fear. The word of God describes a coming messiah. A savior who will do the miraculous that has never been seen before. It is easy to read quickly over these words and not dwell in the wonder of a blind person given sight or a deaf person who receives their hearing. The Savior can do all things and He came to us to show who He is. How does knowing Jesus is the messiah calm our fears today?
“There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.””
Mark 7:20-23, 32-35, 37
Be opened. Open your eyes that you might see that this life is not about you, but about the God who made you. Open your ears that you might hear the voice of the Savior Jesus Christ speaking to you. Can you hear His voice? Can you see how He is moving in your life?
True sight does not come from looking, but from seeing with spiritual eyes. Jesus wants us to see Him and know that He is the promised Savior. He wants us to see others as brothers and sisters made by God to be loved as a family. He wants us to see ourselves as dearly loved children made to walk hand in hand with the one who first loved us. Jesus, give me eyes to see and ears to hear that I might walk in your ways.