For twenty years I dealt with bad eyesight that worsened a little each year. Then, a few years ago, I was so blessed to be able to undergo lasik eye surgery. I still remember the first time I went swimming after the surgery! I could see underwater! It was incredible.
Since the surgery I have been able to see clearly what I could never see before—most of the time. You see, on occasion, mostly if the barometric pressure outside changes, my eyes become blurry. Not like they were for twenty years, but just blurry enough to cause me problems when I go to read or look at something in detail.
Tonight I was driving home and my eyes were blurry. (I promise, we were safe, I would absolutely not drive if they were too blurry to see to drive!) I had trouble seeing some of the street signs. I was thinking of how wonderful it was that I’ve been able to see so well for the past few years and how sometimes my eyes just cloud over.
God gently nudged me.
Sin is the same way. When we have our focus completely on Jesus, it’s like our vision is clear. But then the barometric pressure changes—sin comes in—our vision becomes cloudy. We can’t see Jesus clearly anymore. It becomes hard to focus on Him, it becomes difficult to praise Him. We can become fearful, just like being unable to see makes me fearful. Sin clouds our vision.
I lived far too long not being able to see with my two blue eyes and I lived far too long not seeing Jesus clearly. I can’t do anything about the barometric pressure, but I can do something about the sin. I can repent of past sin and turn away from it. I can live a life pleasing to God. I can keep my focus on Him. I can praise Him and read His Word. I never want sin to block me from seeing Jesus again.
Is sin clouding your vision of Jesus? —submitted by Jenifer Metzger, US
tom felten on April 25, 2012 at 9:30 am
Good question, Jenifer! I so agree that when sin has us blinded, we don’t see God or others or ourselves in the light of reality. Sin distorts and disguises. Sin lies and causes us to lose perspective. May we flee from sin and “turn our eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face” today!
mike wittmer on April 25, 2012 at 9:41 am
This is a terrific metaphor, Jennifer. I think that too often I try to squint through the sin rather than repenting and dealing with it right then and there. Unlike your periodic trouble with vision, we don’t have to muddle through with the nagging effects of sin.
jenifer on April 25, 2012 at 9:47 am
Mike, I love how you put that, ‘squint through the sin rather than repent and deal with it.’ We need to repent and turn away from the sin.