Tag Archives: Vision

Clear Vision

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear.” Matthew 13:16 (NLT)

Clear Vision

I don’t know how my glasses get so dirty! I’ll be going through my day, when all of the sudden I realize that my vision isn’t as clear as it had been. Taking off my glasses, I discover a coating of grimy, who knows what that is blurring my view and a good cleaning is needed. ⁣

⁣My glasses are a perfect reminder of how easy it is to go about our lives and suddenly notice that our own focus is clouded. We’ve been feeling our way, looking through a film of fear, a haze of hate, a glaze of grief, or any other residue we’ve clung to, and now, that’s all we can see. We need to regain clarity. ⁣

⁣“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; but rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT)⁣

⁣I want to see clearly forever! How about you?⁣

This is Day 10 of the 10 Day Writing Prompt Challenge hosted by @fiveminutefriday Today’s prompt is: CLEAR #10daywritingchallenge #writingprompt #fmfparty #hopewriterlife #clear #Icanseeclearlynow #fixyourgazeonHim

Five Minute Friday~Take

“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.” Isaiah 40:26a (NIV)

Take Time to Look Up

Perusing through the photos on my phone, I have realized that lately I’ve been looking up. A lot! Many of my recent pictures are of the sky in one form or another: bright blue, brilliant orange, soft pink, framing the moon, a backdrop for birds, and other scenes above that have captured my attention. Swiping through the images makes me wonder why I’ve been so drawn to the sky. Thinking about it I’ve realized that when I’ve taken the time to lift my eyes upward, everything else around me seems to simply fade away and for those few moments, I find peace as I’m immersed in the beauty above me.

It has occurred to me, that this attraction to the sky is really a reminder that taking time to look up should not just be a photo opportunity, but rather the way I live my daily life. I don’t know about you, but when challenged, facing a problem, or in the need of wisdom, my first reaction is usually to seek worldly solutions on my own. I mean, Google does seem to have an answer for almost everything!  I also look to those around me for advice, read a book, post, or blog that seems to address the issue, and sometimes even try to reason it out in my own little mind. In reality, there’s nothing really wrong with any of these approaches, unless that is… we allow them to block our view heavenward! Living with our sights set down here on only what the world has to offer is like trying to take a picture of the sky from beneath an umbrella. Our vision is greatly limited! **

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 (NLT)

Setting our “sights on the realities of heaven” changes our perspective. When we take the time to look up: to praise, give thanks, repent, worship, seek, and pray; the things of the world begin to grow dim. We find peace as we are captivated by the beauty of grace.  And. We. Are. Changed!  And when those storm clouds fill our sky? Well, God may send us to just the right friend, guide us to a perfect reading, or bring clarity to our own thoughts.  Who knows? Maybe He’ll even use Google to help clear things up. The important thing is that now we’re looking at the world through God’s lens instead of our own and it helps us put our focus on what’s important.

So, the next time you step outside, take time to look up! Notice how the green leaves contrast against the brilliant blue. Wonder at the countless stars that light up the night. Pause as the sinking sun paints with pinks and purples. And then, look up further……..

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.  This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)

**five minutes

Joining http://www.fiveminutefriday.com writing community to write to the prompt “Take” today. It’s always fun to see all the different directions each writer takes with the same word! Click on over and see for yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking for a Sign

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

Blurred vision. That’s what I dealt with yesterday, after my eyes were dilated at the Optometrist’s office. Note to self:  don’t plan to pick up a prescription after an eye appointment! Trying to decipher the small print proved to be a challenge.  I squinted, held it out as far as my arm would stretch away from me, and squinted again; it was still hazy.  Finally, the kind clerk read to me what I needed to know so I could move on. (We won’t talk about what my signature looked like as I checked out.)

It occurs to me that I was having trouble seeing clearly long before my eye exam. Can I let you in on a little secret? I don’t like to make mistakes, let someone down, not measure up…as if you didn’t already know that.  So, when it comes time to make a big decision: change jobs? retire? take on a project?   I look at it up close, far away, and from many different angles. When the answer still seems obscured from my view, I want God to send me a sure sign I’m not making the wrong choice and clear the way for me to proceed. 

In the midst of all the house decisions we’ve needed to make, I’ve prayed for a sign. Not just ANY sign, mind you. Because our beautiful tree must come down; I’ve prayed:  “God, if tearing down our house and putting in this modular is what you want us to do, (1) while we’re not here, (2) create a wind so strong, (3) it knocks over the pine tree, (4) but don’t let it hurt anyone or set the house on fire!” 

Did you happen to notice that I didn’t just ask God to show me the way; I told Him where, when, what, and how! Wait! What? I TOLD HIM? Needless to say, our tree is still standing.  Tell me I’m not alone in wanting what I want, when I want it! Oh, I can be so short-sighted!

I believe that God sends us signs all the time; unfortunately, like me, we are often looking for something of our own making or understanding.

“But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;  He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12 (NIV)

I’m pretty sure that those waiting for a sign that the Messiah had arrived, never expected it to be cloths covering an infant! In a manger yet!  They were watching for grandeur and might, kind of like a giant pine tree falling to the ground. Because of their “blurred vision”, many missed God’s greatest gift. How often are we too, blind to the signs that lead to His gifts for us? 

My sight returned to normal later the evening of my exam and I’m beginning to “see” a little more clearly today, too; that life is going to constantly be full of different kinds of decisions. We may not  always be able to perceive the way to go, but when we focus on the most important Sign: the Baby wrapped in swaddling cloths; we can trust, that with “20/20 vision” He’ll guide us to the cross, through life, and all the way home. 

Joining others looking for “Signs” this week at http://www.tsuzanneeller.com

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