I wear glasses. If it wasn’t for modern technology, I wear coke bottles would be the more accurate term. 🙂 Yeah, I was one of those “lucky” people born with the inheritance gene that said, “You need glasses? Good. I raise you.” Because…you see…I not only have one disease of the eye, I have another. (I also have a daughter who blames me every time she goes to the eye doctor). 😛
Myopia is a condition commonly known as nearsightedness. Strange as it may sound: I can’t see far away. When I say I can’t see far away I am talking just a few inches from the nose. Okay, so that is a sli-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-ght exaggeration. Just don’t ask me to read the big “E” on the eye chart.
Astigmatism is a condition in which an abnormal curvature of the cornea can cause two focal points to fall in two different locations making objects up close and at a distance appear blurry. Translation: I lose either way! 🙂
Combine the two eye conditions and life becomes interesting. As I got older and my vision got worse, my glasses literally felt like they were dragging my face down. I felt a like a football player wearing a helmet after two-a-days. The miracle of contact lenses helped for a while until even they did not do the trick. I want my vision sharp and after trying various combinations that still brought unclear vision, and since surgery was not a viable financial offering for me, it was decided that glasses were the way to go. Fortunately, technology has advanced so that the lenses are not so thick.
Myopia says I can’t see far. Astigmatism says I can’t see far or near. Doesn’t leave me much choice does it? I can choose to go through life squinting and/or groping blindly OR I can choose to roll with the punches, get corrective eye wear, and function like I am supposed to.
Myopia affects thousands maybe millions of people. Myopia affects thousands, maybe millions of Christians. Sunday we sang the song by Chris Tomlin with the following lyrics: “Indescribable, Uncontainable/You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name/You are amazing God/All-powerful, Untamable/ Awestruck we fall to our knees/As we humbly proclaim/You are amazing God.” A.W.Tozer once said:
A low view of God is the cause of a hundred lesser evils. A high view of God is the solution to 10,000 temporal problems.
In other words, if you want to live a victorious life, stop looking at life through myopic glasses and start seeing it through the eyes of God’s telescope. The problem of having a small view of God is that we don’t expect much from Him. Why should we? Our dreams are small. Our prayers are small. Our wish-list is small. Our actions are small. Our whole life is small. Here is the medical solution to eye disease: Eyeglasses or contact lenses may help to correct or improve myopia by adjusting the focusing power to the retina. Here is the solution to “spiritual eye disease”: Adjust the focusing power of your “eyes.”
So where are your eyes these days? Do you find your vision myopic and you can’ “see the forest for the trees?” Or do you find it blurry no matter where you look? Break out of your small view of God and see life through His eyes. I would like to hear your thoughts on this if you care to share. Any thoughts? Thanks for listening. And here is something you can listen to:
I wear glasses too and it’s weird but I like wearing them 😀 People say I look smarter 😀 Haha. Just kiddin.
Like you, I have nearsightedness and I guess it affects me psychologically too because I like details.
On the other hand, you do have a point – sometimes I focus so much on the details that it is easy to lose the bigger picture – and that is plain dumb. I think it’s something of an overgrown defense mechanism because whenever I try to think about who God is and what He can do and what He is doing already, my head starts to spin – He’s WAY too big! 😀
And that song rocks – we sing it at Church, too.
Thanks for reminder, Bill.
Zee: I always wanted people to think I looked smart but then they met me. 😛 You do have a good point about the incomprehensible God. WAY too big! thanks for commenting.
…they met you and realized “dang, he’s not smart, he’s REALLY smart”? 😀
I wish. They more likely said, “Glasses make him look smart. I better stop there.” LOL
We have a prayer that we say corporately and one of the things it says is “we repent from small thinking”. I think that is so important to remember. We serve an immeasurable God…let’s live like it!
Love that thought Tony! We do serve an immeasurable God. Thanks for the comment.
Love the tie in Bill. I recently have had to start wearing reading glasses – I need to make an appointment with the eye doctor as I now just wear a pair from Walgreens – because everything was getting blurry that I was reading. I have had life getting blurry at points and then put on the lens of the Word of God to help clear things ups.
Thanks for this Bill.
Jim: first the readers then the glasses and then the bifocals, then the trifocals. then the magnifying glass. 😛 thanks for the app also. always welcome you here.
Indescribable! We sang that song this past Sunday also. Its good that I play guitar instead of singing it because the words were choking me up some.
Great post! I think our myopic view of God makes us focus too much on the temporary things and that’s what we expect God to deliver on. When we’re focused on that, we miss seeing God’s work on more important (eternal) things.
That is one of those songs that evokes emotion that’s for sure Jim. Agree with your statement wholeheartedly. So good to hear from you!
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think . . . .” Ephesians 3:20
“Not above some things that we ask, but all. Not above some of our dimmer conceptions, our lower thoughts, but above all that we think. Now just put together all that you have ever asked for. Heap it up, and then pile upon the top thereof all that you have ever thought of concerning the riches of divine grace. What a mountain! . . . High as this pyramid of prayers and contemplations may be piled, God’s ability to bless is higher still.”
C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, 1950), III:419.
I had someone from the church text me that very same verse today Ike. I take solace in the truth of that verse. Thanks for the quote also.
Sometimes my vision is limited to “the here and now”…I forget that God is ALWAYS at work and that though I don’t see a work going on in a situation I’ve begged God to be part of, it doesn’t mean He isn’t at work!
Good thoughts Bill. I like the visual. (=
you can join the club Julie! 🙂 I keep reminding myself He is in control. Thanks for coming by.
That’s a great analogy, Bill. The challenge to have bigger prayers was big for me. I need to pray bigger prayers to God. I tend to do small things I know I can handle and I don’t step out on faith enough. Thanks for helping me re-see clearly. I have some big prayers to pray now. Thanks!
Stan: it seems to be human nature not to step out and into bigger things. A rare few have that “built in.” Glad you see more clearly. 🙂 Thanks for the coming by to visit and comment.
Excellent Tozer quote and love this post. It’s so true. Our view of God determines our perception of everything else. I want to see Him high and lifted up, exalted and enthroned upon the praises of His people–not because I can place Him there but because He’s already there and I just need to see it.
Thanks Bill.
Oh man Jason…you hit the nail on the head with how we ought to see Him. May we all be guilty of that. Thanks for coming by.
Hi Bill,
To me, vision comes from God and the Holy Spirit. The vision for my life is different from the vision God may have given others for their lives.
I think it is in the small things that we walk with our God. The little (and sometimes not so little) details of our lives. It is here in the small things that we are proved, that we are trained, that we are taught, that we are gifted, that our life receives direction, etc.
Zechariah 4:10, Luke 19:17,
My belief is that we can’t make things happen by big thinking. I don’t think we are the controllers necessarily of our faith to say that ‘I’m going to have faith and believe for 300 more people to come to church’ I don’t believe that we can manipulate and control God by our faith. And faith by itself is not a ‘magic wand’ so to speak. We trust God to help us live godly lives and he provides what we need for this purpose.
It’s our godly and faithful life that God is immensely pleased with. Our heart for him directs our path.
Let’s be faithful, and obedient and love God with all of our heart and strength. My belief and I believe that the scriptures teach, that an abundant entrance into heaven and the kingdom await those who live their lives in this way, calling upon God and the Holy Spirit for power and enablement to do so.
It’s this godly life that sets us apart from the world. the world has no power to live a godly life. They are slaves to sin. The devil takes them at his will the Bible says. We have been redeemed from the power of sin through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the power of his ressurection. We need to walk in freedom from sin to the glory of God.
Linda: I am not subscribing to the “think big and it will happen” philosophy. Anyone who knows me (which I know you don’t) would know that about me. :0 I do think though that we often dream too small. Our dreams/vision should be God-given and while challenged to reach out, it also ought to bring glory to Him. Thanks for the comment.
Hi Bill,
Speaking of vision, regarding the recent shootings that occured in Arizona, I am going to go out on a limb and saying that this interpretation by a ‘prophet’ is not done according to what I believe is good practice in prophecy. This is ‘fleece’ and ‘wild pulling out of the air’ predictions that are disturbing and confusing to me. ‘Off the board’ methods as far as I’m concerned.
Here is some of the ‘prophets???’ interpretation of this recent shooting tragedy in Arizona.
‘The shooting occurred at a Safeway store on 7110 N. Oracle Road in Tucson. The word ‘Safeway’ implies a secure passage or refuge,
mirroring Arizona’s divine redemptive purpose to become a ‘state of refuge’ for thousands across the United States. (Malachi 4:2). The word ‘oracle’ which represents prophets and prophetic ministry, reflects another aspect of Arizona’s prophetic destiny — becoming a state of prophetic vision for, and declaration to our nation. Moreover, the demonic, premeditated scheme of the assassin is uncovered in the street address of the the murder scene – ‘7110’.”
Any thought or comments?
Linda: my thoughts or comment? One word would answer: CROCK! It is this type of garbage that gives real Bible teachers a bad name. You gotta wonder what the dude/dudette was smoking.
I’ve worn glasses for 2 years. I’m already tired of them. Too much reading in seminary and college. Sounds like you’ve been through more than me though. take care man!
Been wearing them since 4th grade jay. Yeah, been through cut eyebrows from elbows in basketball hitting the frames. Been through foggy lenses. Been through watching the frames crack in half from an elbow. You name it…Hope you get to avoid it. 🙂 Thanks.
Dudette? I am beginning to see the real Bill. No more flim flamming
Must have made you chuckle Jeff. That makes me smirk too. 😀 Thanks for the comment.
Love the example.
My desire is to belive in big things from my big God, but too often I forget or get too scared to step out of the comfort zone of the status quo.
Nothing more uncomfortable than to have big belief and prayers on a situation and to have your fellow believers try to let you down easy that what you are expecting just isn’t going to happen.
Forgetting and fear…almost like two peas in a pod. And I say down to the naysayers. thanks for the comment Kim.
As a guy who used to have to pick up my alarm clock and hold it to my face to see it, I could totally relate. Great object lesson…
On a practical note, have you investigated LASIK? I had myopia and astigmatism, too. It was BAD. Now I see 20/20, and have for nearly 10 years. (At least, literally I can see. Figuratively, I’m still working on my focus…)
Thanks for posting.
Delton: welcome to my blog. Visited yours before responding. Man, you have a gift of creative expression. I didn’t comment but know that I was there. Thanks for visiting.
Thanks for checking it out! I appreciate the encouragement.
Go back when you have a chance. I posted a new blog today. You inspired me… I hope you like it.
I did and commented. You have a gift. You creative writers (Jason, Jay, etc) you ought to go check it out also.
Thanks for the shout out! I saw your comments. Thanks. Interesting that you commented on my previous post. Kind of surprised (and pleased). I thought you would have commented on the post inspired by you. Either way, I’m grateful for the feedback. (BTW– “Gift” may be a little strong, though I’m flattered!)
I thought I had commented on the “Eyes” one. Glad to help. Others did it for me and still do. We are a community and glad to do it. Don’t underestimate your ability to prose.
Thanks. I really do appreciate the encouragement.
There are actually two…one called Childlike Eyes (which you commented on), and one specifically linked to this post called Eye Disease. Might of just been a cache issue. No biggie…just wanted you to know I had linked to your post. Not sure if you saw that…
I am reminded of David…everyone else looked at him and just saw a boy. But God looked at him and saw a king. God’s vision is very big indeed…thanks Bill!
What an incredible thought jay! I love it. thanks.
I shouldn’t be commenting because when I started my job they gave me a medical test and tested my eyes and had to test it twice because it was ridiculous good. It’s genetic. My mum had amazing good sight and she was ill and still had a good sight. But this good sight is not always easy. It means that light that doesn’t bother you, bothers me. a little light is already too much for me. But I believe I will be able to see God as bright as He is. It will be the first and only time and forever that I won’t be bothered by bright light. All of a sudden I wish the time was here that He was here and I could meet Him. Imagine no darkness, only Him, we would be living in His light, in Him. Am I skipping the subject here? Oh well, it’s pretty much as I’m at home. I’m allowed to do this right?
And for what’s worth it. You are smart, with or without your glasses. And let’s pray and life like real children of God expecting Him to do great things. Miracles may happen. 🙂
Bye bye. Going to zzzzleeep.
Ani: first it is so good to hear from you again. I hope your new job is going well. I reckon every rose has its thorn huh? Even fantastic eyesight like yours has a price. maybe i won’t complain so much about having to wear glasses. 🙂 No, you are not skipping the subject. BTW: I love the picture of seeing Jesus. That is awesome. Hope you had a good sleep. 🙂
I hope I don’t miss your point but I think sometimes we have too small view of ourselves.
I believe God has given us each a special talent, gift, disposition, or composition. I think we owe it to the maker to expand that gift and magnify it.
We need to see big differences WE can make. They may be big differences in a small way. Or seem small but that God can make big.
Make someone happy.
Put a smile on the check out girls face.
Give $10 to the guy at the intersection with the sign.
Tell someone you appreciate them.
Whatever.
You didn’t miss the point at all Jeff. Not only should we see we have a big God we should also see that we can make a difference. Great thoughts to share. Thanks.
I can’t tell you how, but this post came to me the very SECOND I needed it the most. I’m currently trying to work some important details out, and I was beginning to get a headache from being drained by this particular situation when this post appeared in my email.
I love this line, “If you want to live a victorious life, stop looking at life through myopic glasses and start seeing it through the eyes of God’s telescope.”
Thanks, Cycleguy. So much!
Jaycee! Man, it is so good to hear from you. I have missed you. So glad that God used this post for you at just the right time. He is amazing that way you know? Thanks for the good comment. 🙂
Yeah, I’m pretty darn spiritually blind without the glasses provided by the Holy Spirit, and I’m all too often all too lazy to properly wear them.
Been there still do that also Bernard. I need to put those glasses on every day as soon as I wake up also. Unfortunately, I often leave them at the bedside. Thanks for coming by.
I wore glasses starting at the age of 5 and contacts starting at 10 because they felt the contacts could slow degeneration of my eye. I degraded to 20/1050 in one eye and 20/1100 in the other. Then in 2006, a lasik doctor did a deal with a radio station I worked for offering the surgery in return for testimonial commercials. I didn’t think it would really work…but the morning after the surgery I woke up and my vision was 20/20.
The first thing I did was read my Bible and praise God for the medical miracle. Thanking Him for giving people the wisdom to create lasik.
As for my God vision…it’s starting to get as clear as that wonderful morning. 🙂
Cool story jason. More cool is your last line. Thanks and keep “seeing”