“Come and See (Better)”

Recently, I went to the optometrist for my annual visit and renewal of my prescription lenses. And like anyone else, when she said, “Read the chart”, my initial response was, “Where is the chart?”

When the doctor places the armed contraption that tests my obvious need for visual correction in front of my eyes and makes a few minor adjustments, the letters begin to come into view. Suddenly, recognizable letters of the alphabet that resembled smears on a screen have taken shape and can now be identified.

While she continues to switch the lens in front of each eye, there are progressive stages of improvement. Sometimes those minor adjustments are not favorable, and the letters become skewed in a lopsided or blurred manner. Until finally, she finds the settings that are the Goldilocks perfect fit and I can read down to the last line.

All the while, those letters on the chart never changed. My vision was needing the adjustment.

Our personal journeys with Jesus can be quite similar. His truths and promises are always the constant. His character is unwavering, even in light of our disobedience. The way we perceive the world, what we see around us (largely influenced by the wonky circumstances that move in and out and morph by the minute) is ever changing and may cause us to react as though we have forgotten those precious promises. To some degree, we have the tendency to suffer from occasional visual impairment.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NCV

So, how do we assure that we are seeing what is intended for us to see? We take our eyes to the Scriptures for vision testing first, before making a move.

5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

Those obvious suggestions and subtle opinions that are spoken from well meaning folks are not always in alignment with the word of truth. When it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, walks like a duck … place it back in the lake where it came from and be done with it. The kind words that are not meant to be acted upon that are causing you uneasiness ~ your spirit and mind are hollering at you to avoid.

And then there are those crafty recommendations that may be sprinkled with some truth but are tainted with just enough falsehood that you cannot detect if it’s your misinterpretation or your mood.

Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world. 1 John 4:1 Amplified Bible Classic Edition

In any case, do the work. Study the Scriptures so that in an instant you will know whether to pump the breaks and pause for prayer, or rebuke the words now floating in your space.

5 Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 Amplified Bible Classic Edition

Studying the Word of GOD can come in many forms: personal study, small group study, online group study, sermons from the pulpit, sermons from podcasts … in today’s world of technology, we have a multitude of resources available at our fingertips. But nothing can replace the one-on-one communion with the Savior on a daily basis, where He whispers into your soul while you seek His guidance in His written Word.

And please don’t stop at only reading the Word, dig in and do a deeper dive. There’s more than just the footnotes or side margin cross-references in your personal Bible. There are free online resources (biblehub.com; Matthew Henry’s Commentaries; BlueLetterBible.com; BibleGateway.com; Logos.com (a limited free version is available as well as expanded paid access).

You may be wondering, “Why would I need to do a deeper dive if my study Bible gives me all the extras?” Because that’s just scratching the surface, Friend. When you are in the throes of life and searching the Scriptures for the how’s and where’s and do~I~do~this guidance from GOD, there will be passages that seem to keep pulling your eyes back to re-read them more than once. In fact, if you’re anything like me, you can’t seem to let go of the impression they make on your heart and mind. That’s an indication that the Holy Spirit is calling you to go digging for those rubies. The resources I mentioned above will be your shovel. The Holy Spirit will shine the beam on your findings.

When I walk out of the optometrist office with those new lenses and my updated prescription, I am ecstatic! Those annoying moments of slight blurriness and challenging times of trying to read those b’s that might be h’s or o’s that were c’s all along, are in the past and I can move forward with greater confidence.

Because I know that what I see is true.

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary