Ophthalmologists and Optometrists have been the most frequently visited physicians in my lifetime.
The typical vision correction has been one factor, but added to that, I have ocular hypertension, and an occurrence of a Central Retinal Vein Occlusion in 2008. This has amplified the value I place on visual acuity. The visual quality that expert medical support and corrective lenses have afforded me is something I don’t take for granted.
So… when the ball dropped on a new year, and that new year is directly correlated to numbers we associate with healthy vision, I pay attention.
20/20. 2020.
A year of focus. A year to calibrate the vision of my soul on the priorities that Jesus established while He walked the planet with an optic nerve. What was it that Jesus wanted us to see? What captured His attention, and what informed His instruction?
In preaching and practice, Jesus made this abundantly clear. Ironically, Jesus’ vision and His corresponding attention fell on those who were most often ignored, dismissed, devalued, or despised. And He invites His followers to do the same.
Jesus informs us that when we see the poor, the hungry, the sick, the outcast, the incarcerated… we are really seeing Him.
Jesus taught that our actions most often submit to our attention. And when we choose to ignore those He values most… we ignore Him.
Our eyes are the gateway to our soul. And our soul is the pathway to compassion. And the compassion of Christ is the onramp to action. Generosity explodes when our vantage point changes. When we see like Jesus, we become more like Jesus. And when we become more like Jesus, we will act more like Jesus.
Action without seeing is legalism. Seeing without doing is disobedience.
See, then be, then do.
20/20 in 2020.
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” (Acts 3:1-4, ESV)
Peter and John learned well. Before they healed, they saw.
Our selfish vision, corrected through the lenses of Jesus. A broken and sin-filled world now calibrated with Christ.
Perhaps it’s time for a visit to the Optometrist of your soul.
20/20. Forever.
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