*AM I VISION IMPAIRED?

Mark 8:25 (NIV 1984)  "Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly."

I finally bit the bullet of procrastination.  

After seven years with the same box of contacts, I went to the optometrist.  Noticeable changes in my vision started two years ago.  My peripheral was blurred and I always felt like there was gravel in my eyes.  I also knew my nearsightedness was getting worse, or so I thought.

Upon further examination my doctor told me, "You have a severe astigmatism."  "A what?" He proceeded to explain that an astigmatism is a structural defect of the cornea where rays of light from an object don't allow the eye to focus, thus causing imperfect vision. With this condition, one has to wear a special lens that fits the cornea properly. 

What a difference my new lens' have made.  Objects and images are clearer.  My vision is no longer blurred.  My nearsightedness wasn't the problem, it was my lenses.

Vision problems can be common for many of us.  While physical eyesight helps us see the world around us, our spiritual vision is critical to our relationship with Christ.  Oftentimes, our spiritual vision is blurred or we can even become spiritually blind.  

This blur can occur:

• when we spend too much time in the world and not enough time in the Word.  
• when we fail to recognize the lure of the flesh to be satisfied.  
• when we rationalize our choices or compare our holiness to someones lack.

Getting out spiritual eyes checked is vital.  We may need a new lens and their is only One who can correct this vision with the right prescription.  The lens to restore our vision is Christ and the Word of God; our source for Truth and the authority by which we conduct our life.  

Today's verse in Mark 8 refers to a blind man whom Jesus heals.  Earlier in Mark 7:31-37 Jesus heals a deaf man.  What is interesting about this passage in Mark 8 is the question Jesus posed to His disciples in verse 18, "Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?"  Jesus references 'eyes and ears' based on His recent healing. 

The disciples had cloudy vision and didn't understand who Jesus was or what He came to do.  Jesus wants to open their spiritual eyes and ears to give them greater understanding.  He wants to do this for us too through our heart.

In verse 15 Jesus warns the disciples to watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees. The 'yeast' of the Pharisees is like poison.  In Scripture, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their pride, arrogance, stubborn, and hard hearts. They too, had cloudy vision and did not see Jesus for who He was or what He came to do and their rejection of the Messiah is evidence.

Seeing clearly requires us to understand who Christ is. He wants us to see through His lenses of grace, humility, forgiveness, healing and wholeness.  May we embrace Christ and allow Him to change our perspectives so we can clearly see with biblical understanding.  May our improved sight allow us to reflect a heart being transformed into His likeness.

God wants to bring precision to our vision.  When we see clearly, others can clearly see Christ in us.  He is our reference point and when we are not focused on Him we suffer the consequences of allowing our sight to be misguided.

Are you vision impaired?

Heart Work:
Ask the Lord to reveal how your vision is blurred.

Seek to understand His purposes for your life. Desire to be dependent upon Him.  Strive to remove pride and arrogance from your life.

Heart Exam:
How are you vision impaired?  What are you allowing to blur your vision?  Is there pride and selfishness in your life?  

Is your heart hard to God's Truth?  Is your relationship with God shallow because you fail to realize your deep need of Him?

Heart Transforming Word:
Matthew 5:8  "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God."

Matthew 20:33-34  "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."  Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes.  Immediately they received their sight and followed him."

I John 5:20  "We also know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true - even in his Son Jesus Christ."




Copyright 2010 by Hester Christensen.  Edited 2012.  All rights reserved.