Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, simply means that a person is shortsighted. They suffer from the inability to see with clarity at a measure of distance; hence, the ability to only see things up close and near.
Therefore [I now see] I have [rashly] uttered that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Hear, please, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct [and answer] me.’ I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the of the ear, But now my [spiritual] eye sees You. Therefore I retract [my words and hate myself] And I repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:3b-6 AMP
I’ve heard it said that we all have a particular lens or perspective with which we view the world around us. And that it is a result of our environment and upbringing, coupled with the life experiences that cause us to view certain things with negativity or positivity. So I guess you could say that our vision is a bit jaded from birth, due to the influences of our family and immediate surroundings and teachings. While such experiences are deeply rooted within our minds, we do have the capacity to voluntarily change our perspectives by changing our lens. This can also be applied to how we perceive people and their views.
Nonetheless, our Scripture verse speaks of how Job is repentant of his arrogance in the sight of GOD. Imagine that, Job — the man who declared this faithfulness towards GOD — was in need of repentance. Because he, too, fell short. But once Job was back into his loving relationship with his Creator, not only did things turn around, but Job was blessed beyond his wildest dreams. In hindsight, Job could righteously attest to faithful trust in what GOD was doing all along, even when he could not see beyond what was in front of him.
If I am honest with myself, I will tell you that my own visual impairment has been at the source of many a frustrating moments. Rushing through life, I just seem to expect things to be as I see them — at first glance. Maybe that’s why GOD has been impressing upon me to move slowly along my journey, observing and discerning everything in my path. Because at first glance, things aren’t always as they seem. In His Omniscience, GOD’S Ways are not to be compared to my own.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 AMP
Those trials (notice I put that in the plural) we are presently experiencing, may not be what they appear on the surface. Emotions and previous experiences (maybe in similar situations) may cause us to view and perceive our present state slightly out of focus. Allow me to embrace you and encourage you to not become discouraged simply by what you see, but to rather hold fast to the promises which GOD has spoken through His Word for your life.
For we live by believing and not by seeing. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT
My lens had been so warped from being told I was inadequate and not good enough as a child, that I became a perfectionist and people-pleaser. I would push myself so hard to accomplish something without error, that I would sacrifice my own health and safety. Growing into my adult years, I pursued to always work to be error-free; I was often labeled ‘overachiever.’ This can be a very big problem, because people like me can be our own worst enemy. We tend not to forgive ourselves; which by the way, can transfer over into not forgiving others. Our expectations for ourselves and the things we work on are held to a standard that basically no one could satisfy. It’s a form of insecurity, whereby we overcompensate for where we believe we ‘fall short.’ Being shortsighted can be a dangerous thing as an adult — because either we over-analyze or we under-estimate our efforts, accomplishments and our expectations for ourselves and others. Yes, if you can identify with me, we are the type to be frustrated with those who don’t understand our vision, much less see it. Thank you, Lord, for showing me Your Mercy and revealing this to me.
Yes, this visual impairment can be an obstacle to growth and development — and it’s our own demise. We have to come to terms with the fact that GOD has a plan behind everything that occurs, especially when we ourselves don’t immediately see it.
We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. Romans 8:28 Voice
The world shouts out, “Seeing is believing!” I tend to think that what we actually do see with our natural eyes is but a tiny view of a much bigger picture. It’s like looking at the corner of the frame of the portrait of Mona Lisa and saying, “Wow, spectacular artwork!”
As Christ Followers, we are called to a wide-angle lens perspective, taking in all things that GOD has placed in our path and to allow the Holy Spirit to focus the view for us. Much like the way the optometrist manipulates the testing lens while trying to determine the right prescription for our eyes. But holy focus doesn’t always happen instantaneously. The clarity through the lens develops over time — the time that we are being nurtured and stretched — growing seasons. In other words, the more obedient and willing we are, the more likely we will come to see things as GOD intended for us to see them.
I think of Biblical heroines like Ruth. She was not born into a family that worshipped the one true GOD — in fact, she originates from a pagan culture that worshipped false gods. But because she chose to believe and ultimately obey, she was engrafted into the lineage of Christ. Her story is one of redemption; the very forerunner epic that opens up to salvation for all of mankind. Yet, she had no idea and could not see any of the events as leading up to her destiny with Boaz, the man who would change her world 180 degrees. Had Ruth decided to look at her widowed situation as being the end of her story, she likely would have returned home to her people and false gods, and she would not have experienced being in the House of GOD. It would have been a very shortsighted decision that would have ended tragically for Ruth. But she didn’t.
Contrast the devastation of Lot’s wife when she disobeyed GOD and desired to see what she felt she was missing out. The temptation was so great that her life was radically shortened.
But Lot’s wife, from behind him, [foolishly, longingly] looked [back toward Sodom in an act of disobedience], and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:26 AMP
Lot’s wife could not get over what she tangibly experienced in Sodom and Gomorrah. By the world’s definition, it was a land of prosperity flowing with everything desirable to satisfy the needs of the flesh — and that was the problem. It satisfied only the needs of the flesh and not the heart of GOD. Yet, as detestable as it really was, Lot’s wife allowed for her shortsightedness to overtake her desire to follow after the One true GOD and it resulted in death.
Girlfriend, maybe we are in need of surrendering a current situation: marriage, career, family aspirations, financial turnaround, relationship improvements, entrepreneurial dreams — whatever personal goals we hold closest to our heart — and allowing GOD to refine and make clear the view and the way. Maybe our present moment doesn’t look anything like what we had hoped for or what we believed GOD to have spoken to us. And that’s a difficult place to be — I feel your frustration and your ache. Let’s take a moment to reflect and write those here:
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- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
I am a firm believer that if you write your thoughts on paper you can see what’s swirling around in your head, and can give true commitment to those things.
Be specific and tell your Heavenly Father what you see. Ask Him to make clear to you what He wants you to see. Commune with Him over your heart’s desires and ask Him to make His Ways the desires of your heart. And then listen intently, wait for His response and be ready to move. Keep in mind, Sister, He is always in control. So if we don’t see it yet, the promise is still true.
As I look at the countless times that GOD took what I perceived to be weird and awkward and often embarrassing, He transformed into the most extraordinary of life experiences! At the time it was happening, I certainly could not see straight because I was so wrapped up in my emotional woes and trying to live up to the expectations of others — and worse, what the world deemed to be the ‘right thing’ to do. But as a Christ-Follower, I must remember that I have a much higher calling.
What Scripture verse will you commit to memory to get you through this particular journey? I’ve give you a few here today, but you can select others. Write it here: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
So whether I feel as though I am navigating through foggy circumstances and can’t see the road ahead of me, I am beckoned by The Holy Spirit (and my dear friends) to keep walking forward. And I know that if I do, the best is yet to come. What a spectacular view that will be!
I’d love to hear from you, Sister — as you gain greater insight to what GOD has prepared for you. Do share — it may help someone coming up behind you.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwoVisionary
Titus Two 