New Lenses To See Clearer

I am not very good at “doing” doctor visits. If an appointment has the prefix “Doctor” in front of it I will try to put it off as long as possible. So it was with my eye “doctor” appointment. I had been well past my due date of having a routine exam and I noticed my vision was changing, darn, no more procrastinating! I sat in the chair and the doctor chuckled at how long it had been since I had been there, so he politely asked “are you noticing any changes in your vision”? My first thought was “well, duh, that’s why I’m here!” Luckily I have a filter on my mouth! “Yes”, I replied. He had me look into the large white machine that looked like some binocular contraption and then proceeded to explain that he was going to intentionally blur my vision so as to find the right prescription. And so it went that he would ask me “is 1 better or 2?” Each time he asked he would slide different lenses in and ask the same question, “is 1 better or 2?” Sometimes it was neither. Both were about equal. After getting through all of the lense changes, the doctor pulled the machine away, wrote in the chart and then turned to me with his report. My long distance vision had remained unchanged, but my up close vision (my reading vision) had changed and not for the better. I was going to need new lenses in my glasses to help me see better when I read and write.

Why do I tell you this story? In our life sometimes our “close up” vision needs to be recalibrated. We have a tendency to get out of focus when we are bombarded with so many “worldly” things. We may not notice it at first because it is a gradual change, but before you know it your vision is blurred to what is true and right. Perhaps it started with allowing a behavior, either by you or a child, that you know is wrong but you think “everyone does it anymore, it can’t be that big of a deal.” Maybe it’s telling a small lie that snowballs into a big one. Whatever it is, a visit to the “Eye Doctor” will be warranted. The Eye Doctor that calls is “Dr. Jesus” and he tells you that you need new lenses so that you can see clearly once again. And just like my eye doctor, Jesus may have to allow your vision to blur even more first before he can fit you with the right lenses. In other words, He may allow you to walk a path that is very difficult before you get to the point where those new lenses will work most effectively. The best example of this is the Apostle Paul. Paul’s vision was all messed up before he met Jesus. His vision was so bad he couldn’t see straight to make any good decisions. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, he collides with Jesus on the road to Damascus. “Doctor Jesus” came knocking on Paul’s door and said “you need new lenses to help you see clearer!” However, “Doctor Jesus” had to intentionally “blur” Paul’s vision for a time so that Paul’s new lenses would work in a mighty way when they were put in place, and boy did they ever! Ask yourself if your vision is truly clear. Your “distance vision” may still be focused toward heaven, but your “close up” vision may need new lenses. You don’t have to wait until “Dr. Jesus” comes calling. Ask Him now to show you if something is not right in your life so that you can begin to see more clearly without having to walk a difficult path with blurred vision. Know that Jesus loves you so much that he desires that you have the clearest of vision so that you won’t stumble and fall as you walk. Trust Him! – Psalm 139: 23-24 – “Search me, Oh God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”