Matthew 7:3
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Today, my friend Carolyn called me on her way home from work. Apparently the new glasses she just got were not exactly doing what the should and her vision was a bit blurry. I asked her where her other (“old”) glasses were..at home! She also had some sunglasses from her other prescription, great, where are THEY.. at work!
After shaking my head and giving her a “good grief” or two, she finally arrived at her house and we got off the phone. It was after I hung up that I realized something, the Holy Spirit was tapping me on the shoulder telling me that at LEAST Carolyn was WEARING her glasses, unlike some people who had rather squint in her vanity (yes, that would be me).
As we were on the phone, Carolyn explained how at first she could see fine with the new lenses, but for some reason that changed, seemingly “overnight”.
Isn’t this the way it can be in our walk with Christ? Maybe we go to church on Sunday or Wednesday and gain understanding. Like a fresh, new prescription, things seem brighter and clear. Then comes the rest of the week and with it, the fog just keeps getting more and more dense. Between schedules and appointments, life interferes in our relationship with the Lord. Well, we KNOW our God has not put distance between us!
“Neglect” seems like a harsh word (and believe me, I am tugging at the plank in my eye, ladies). Sometimes just like the old pair of glasses on Carolyn’s counter and the other set at work, my Bible may be in one room and my tablet in another, but do I opt to get up and get either, no. This thought was two-fold; one, studying the Word deserves and takes effort; two, this is one of many reasons it is great to have Scripture memorized, to bring it to recollection when there is no available “backup”.
What about folks like myself who won’t even WEAR the glasses I have? Well, I must just be content that I see well enough to get by! Is that the attitude we want with Jesus? Are we okay with just knowing what we already do about Him; aware there is so much more, but willing to accept what we have is enough!
So to the Giver of clarity, let’s pray that our Father will open our eyes and free us from all blurriness when it comes to learning and understanding the Truth!
Let’s not quit caring or praying for others of course, but concern ourselves with our own vision before we start criticizing someone else’s!
PRAYER
O Merciful Heavenly Father
We want to see You
We anxiously await the glorious day
You call us Home
O Lord
We ask that You improve our vision
Both physically and spiritually
We want charity in what You teach us
Your Word is perfect
And we want to see it as it is
Father, when we stray from You
We can get to the point where You are hard to see
But You never lose sight of us!
You are that Lighthouse, drawing your children in
From the world’s stormy seas
Safely to the shore of Calvary
Anchoring us at the foot of the cross
Father, the fog dissipates in Your presence
You bring clarity where there is misunderstanding
Your Light shines brightly through the haziness
Sin generates
We give You praise for our sight
Please let us use it to see according to Your will!
In the Name of Jesus
AMEN
SONGS
“Be Thou My Vision”
“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”