Blurred lines, dull lighting, and indistinct objects were all a normal part of the world in front of me. It’s amazing how one can spend so much of their lifetime with the illusion that they see things clearly.
Another lens, another perspective… can change your world instantly. Lines become clear, lighting more vivid, and objects more distinct.
I was 17 when I received my first set of glasses. They said I had “myopia” – which is just a fancy word for nearsighted. Until then, I didn’t even know I had it… why would I? I had nothing else to compare my vision to. You know what they say, “ignorance is bliss”.
The instant I put those glasses on, everything appeared lucid. Yet I was conflicted… The new lenses on my face seemed foreign and I felt dizzy by the amount of clarity from looking through those polycarbonate screens. I also didn’t like the way I looked in them and was more concerned about my self-image than my actual vision.
There seems to be times when we choose to remain nearsighted spiritually. I can recall countless times where out of my own fear, pride, or insecurity, I choose to remain in my ignorance… refusing to see things through the lens of the Gospel. Concepts like give-and-take relationships, proving your worth, earning grace, seeking revenge on those who deeply hurt you, and *insert any other coping/defense mechanisms here* can all feel like second nature when we are viewing the world through our own natural eyes.
Then, I think of the times I choose to see things through the lens of God’s true love, and realize there is so much more to this world that is so beyond me. The truth that God died for me… just like He died for every. single. person. in this world. And that regardless of our actions, circumstances, successes, and failures, He decided that we were worth His life before we even had life! But WHY? Perhaps even more a question is, why do we continue to choose to view life in our natural way when there is such a life altering perspective!?
We live in a broken world and we are all broken people. Perhaps it is the darkness of this world that makes the light of God stand out. And the blindness of man that makes us recognize our need for a clearer lens.
(2 Peter 1:5-9) 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
I’ve found myself reflecting and meditating on this scripture lately. What does it look like to apply self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love to my life? I’m realizing that in my natural blindness and human-ness I simply can’t. Not without first realizing the need for His lens – His love, His mercy, His power, and His grace – and to truly choose to accept it into my daily life.
