As I described in my book, With Fresh Eyes, I was legally blind for the first 55 years of my life. Then a surgery improved the vision in one eye to a whopping 20/80! I saw details I had never seen before. I didn’t have to hold books or objects three inches from my face any longer. Everything in my world looked different. The change was so exciting.
Improved eyesight came with a learning curve.
Remember, I knew no other way to see. I had spent 55 years finding alternate ways to cope with life. Now, if I was to make use of this new gift, I had to shift into a new normal. I had to let go of my preconceived ideas about the world that I’d based on my limited eyesight. In some cases, I had to learn to do certain tasks using my sight rather than my fingers.
Is there such a thing as vision therapy for people who have gained new vision? I often asked. No. I was the odd one. I had to figure it out by myself.
Nice problem to have, huh?
Some days, it was not easy.
In my frustration, I cried out to the Lord. He was the one who orchestrated this new gift of eyesight; surely He would also help me adapt to the changes. And He did—in His own way.
He didn’t provide someone else who has “been there, done that” like I wanted. He didn’t fulfill my bucket list of all the things I wanted to see. Instead, He brought to me the everyday things of life and showed me new truths through each discovery. He gave me mental wisdom and creative ideas about what to change, like standing up straight instead of hunching over my stove (no more bacon grease popping in my face!). In each new change, I learned more about Him, I sensed His presence, and I followed His leading to encourage others with my discoveries.
Becoming a Christian is much like a gift of new eyesight.
Paul wrote,
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spiritof wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength.” (Ephesians 1:17-19)
God has given new sight to your heart that allows you to see Him better than ever. Through your new spiritual sight, you will be able to:
- Know God better
- Know the hope to which He has called us—that’s the hope of eternal life.
- Know the “riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” That’s the immense bank of resources we find when we’re connected with the community of believers called the Church
- Know the “incomparably great power for those of us who believe.” That power is the out of this world power that could even erase death. That’s the power available to us as believers!
It doesn’t happen instantly.
Much like my struggle to effectively use my new vision, we will all have days when we slip into those old patterns.You might wonder, How come I can’t automatically be and do and think all the things a Christian is supposed to do? How am I supposed to figure this out?
Let me assure you. There are a lot more resources available to a newbie Christian than to a 55-year-old woman learning how to see for the first time. For one, you have centuries full of examples of people who have “been there, done that.” God has provided the Bible to acquaint you with who He and how He works, and how to live this new life He calls us to live. Best of all, He puts the Holy Spirit inside each of us: a constant companion who guides us and gives us wisdom in the small and not so small stuff.
You’ve got help!
He who called you to this new way of life is also available to help you maneuver through the minutia of daily living. He’ll help you make those new changes and fill you with confidence that you can navigate walking seeing in the light rather than feeling your way through the darkness..
Discovering all the new things you can see and do with your new spiritual sight is worth any struggle needed in making those necessary life changes. With God beside you and the Holy Spirit within you, you can do it!
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