I noticed that something was off.
I realized that I was squinting a lot. My vision wasn’t as sharp as it once had been. A visit to the doctor a few years back revealed slight blurriness as my current reality. I need support to maintain clarity of sight.
My vision had changed.
My ability to see objects far away had weakened through the years. I would now need corrective lenses. As if that wasn’t enough, I was also told that correcting my distant problem would create a close-up problem as well.
Fixing my long term view would require adjusting my near term view..
In 1 King 17 Elijah the prophet pronounced judgment on the people of Israel. Over the years, the challenges of life began to obscure their path. The hardship they endured in Egypt. The long trek through the wilderness. Their need for water and manna. The difficulties of their journey to the promise land and the exhaustion associated with waiting on the fulfulment of the promises of God took a toll. The people of Israel began to lose sight of the object of their affection.
Eventually, the people of Israel turned to idol worship.
Their circumstances began to color their perception of God. Despite the instructions they received from God along the way, the Israelites allowed their experience to inform their view of His character.
“As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 1 Kings 17:1
Who or what are you looking to as your source of provision?
Dear friend, hear me in this…
It will always be worth it to live surrendered to God’s will for your life.
That may mean that instead of watching your favorite T.V. show every day, you designate one day out of the week to intentionally seek God in prayer about how you may need to guard your heart in your current season of life. That may mean praying for guidance on how to steward your current resources to maneuver through economical hardship. That may mean a daily practice of praise to remember who God is in a season of health challenges.
Whatever the case, gird yourself in the truth of God’s Word. Remind yourself of His faithfulness. Practice, daily, what it means to live a life surrender to God.
Stop trying to take matters into your own hands and instead believe that God is still able to answer your prayers, able to transform your life , and renew your mind. God isstill able to rescue you and bring about salvation. God is still exactly who He has always been and that you can count on!
In case you are wondering, I did get glasses that I only wear at night. It does cause a little blurriness for things that are closer to my face but that’s not a major problem.
It’s more important that I can see well so that I can drive well – especially when I’m driving in the dark.
Maybe it’s time for you to address your vision problem. The key is to fix your long term view on who God is, the plans He has for you, and the promise of eternity that is available to those who trust in Him. Fixing your gaze on God doesn’t just help you to see clearly, it also ensures that you are able to see well when the dark seasons of life come your way.
It is true that fixing your long-term vision will, by default, require an adjustment in what you focus on in the near term. But as the song so eloquently states…
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace
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