When you look into the mirror, what color are the eyes peeking back at you…hazel, blue, brown, green, gray, black or perhaps a little red from all the blog reading? Throughout my life, I’ve been said to have dreamy or sleeping eyes. Eyes come in all shapes and sizes but there essential purpose remains the same-to see.
However, several people looking at the exact same scene often see very different things. Such is the case of many of the people in Bible times (just as we are today). The deeply religious Pharisees and Saducees were exposed to the same teachings and miracles of Jesus. Yet they were unable to see that He was indeed the Messiah in which they searched the Scriptures. Even the disciples were privy to close encounters with Jesus seeing first hand his many wonderous works but on several occasions He rebuked them for not being able to perceive who He was really. Looking and seeing does not automatically translate into perceiving what is seen. Matthew 13: 13-14 This why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
I’ve worn glasses or contacts for several years due to a condition called myopia or nearsightedness as it’s commonly known. Myopia is a condition in which one can see things close up but things at a distance appear blurred. Another definition of myopia is a lack of discernment or long range perspective in thinking or planning. Reminds me of how sometimes in life , we’re so busy looking at the everyday things that we fail to see the glorious works of God being displayed before our eyes. It was myopia, that prevented the woman at the well from seeing Jesus as the source of everlasting water. Enveloped with daily struggles, myopia prevents me from perceiving they are producing endurance, character, and hope within me.
And what about those who are always looking into the future, planning for a later date and time. Waiting before enjoying, encouraging, or enlightening themselves and others. Certainly preparation for the future is important but not so much that it eludes us of partaking in today’s blessings and joys.
So how does one correct their eyesight so that they’re not just looking but perceiving. The Message’s translation of Matthew 6:22-23 offers a few suggestions like opening your eyes in wonder and belief. Distrust and greed causes distorted vision. Essentially being open and receptive leads to more understanding.
Photo Credit: Chispita_666 via Flickr
Personally I believe eyes are overrated. As you say, many of us just 'look' rather than 'perceive'. This is so true.
Eyes may allow us to see, but what we truely perceive comes from our hearts. We need to make use of all of our other senses and instincts to see what's really ahead of us.
To me, eyes are just like the amber traffic light. They warn us, caution us, but they do not tell 🙂
Beautiful post.
Great reflection! May the Spirit open our eyes 🙂
A most interesting post, very pleasurable to read.
I find about eyes if a person can't look you staight into your eyes they have something to hide. Eye contact is very importanr to me.
Take care.
Yvonne.
Interesting. God bless.
Amen! It is tragic, in the spirit and in the natural, to see without really seeing and observing and taking in what is in the line of vision. Sight is a line, not a dot…it is long, it points toward. Sight is a beginning of a thing, not an end.
Continue speaking the Word in this time of famine of the Word.
LaVonne
That was a great post. I loved the way you started out with eye color, moved onto types of vision, and then likened it all to spiritual perception. Nice work.
Great job on your E post! Excellent insight on perception… sometimes we get so caught up in what we "can" see that we forget to use our other senses… another great verse is 2 Corinthians 5:7 We live by faith not by sight… 🙂
That is another good scripture indeed Tori.
Interesting analogy alitterative regarding the amber caution light. Thanks for all the encouraging words LaVonne, Yvonne, Pet, Raquel and Mike