Seeing

“For he who lacks these qualities is blind or shortsighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.” – 2 Peter 1:9

In the recent National Football League Draft several gifted athletes were taken in the first round. Were they the right choice? Only time will tell…

I’ve had the privilege of being around a few NFL coaches and players who can properly critique players – especially quarterbacks. I’ve become aware that a person’s ability to “scan the opponent’s defense” is a critical element in play selection and execution. Many very athletic quarterbacks have been rendered “functionally nearsighted” when it comes to seeing potential opportunities or problems on the playing field.

Nearsightedness (myopia) causes people’s eyes to focus the parallel rays of light in front of the retina. They can clearly see things right in front of them, but the farther out they look, the more out of focus objects become. With this condition comes a selectivity of vision that doesn’t always take into account the things that can bring about harm to a person – like a blitzing 255-pound linebacker.

This type of impairment should even be more of concern on a spiritual level. Even professed believers become unfruitful when they are spiritually nearsighted. They can become consumed with social fads, earthly fashions, or the pursuit of materialism. The eternal issues of life become so distant that they are totally out of focus.

People who are spiritually myopic risk being consumed with sinful behavior that can sneak up on them. The blitzing addictions of life brought about through lustful thoughts, pornography, substance abuse, uncontrolled anger, and unbalanced lives can cause the person to miss the blessings God intended.

Scripture reminds us that we need to be vigilant and attentive to those temptations that plaque our environments. In 1 Peter 1:5-9 we read that it is our faith in God that “shields us from sin and gives us the power to overcome the evil one”. The Apostle Paul reminds us to be diligent to avoid spiritual myopia in our lives. “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” – Hebrews 6: 4-6

Let’s pray for clear, spiritual vision so that we can see the playing field of life clearly.

Let’s Reflect
What are the things in your life that cause spiritual nearsightedness?
What focus does 1 Samuel 12:24 bring to your vision of life?
What can you do when you’re in focus with God’s plan for your life? Read Philippians 4:13.