When You Need New Glasses

A few mornings ago I was reading through my quiet time material, and I realized that I need new glasses. The ones I’m wearing are over two years old. The scratches and smudges distort the lights when I’m driving at night. Sometimes it feels like I’m looking through a star filter on my camera. If you wear glasses, you know what I mean. If you don’t wear glasses and you know what I mean, you may need some!

There are lots of indicators that you might need glasses. If you have difficulty seeing things close up or far way, you may need corrective lenses. Headaches, squinting, rubbing our eyes, eye fatigue, seeing double can all be indicators  that something is wrong with our vision. When we can’t see, our view of reality is distorted. When our eyes aren’t working properly, we need something to correct our vision.

How do you know when you need new glasses?

It’s also important to know when you need new glasses. Sometimes the reason is obvious. Our lenses are badly scratched or a temple has fallen off. Even worse–we crush or lose them! Other times our doctor discovers our eyesight has worsened. We need stronger lenses.

Sometimes we don’t need new glasses. Instead, our glasses need a good cleaning. We have to clean the entire pair of glasses. The nose thingy and the edge of the frames collect dirt, grease, and makeup. If we clean only the lens, that leftover dirt and grease will find its way onto the lenses and mar our vision. (I sound like a commercial for acne medicine!)

How is your spiritual vision?

It’s the same way with our spiritual lives. Sometimes we know we aren’t seeing things accurately. The Holy Spirit begins the convicting process, and we know we need to make an appointment with God for a check-up. We sit with Him in His Word, and let the Holy Spirit continue to show us the truth we need to know and understand.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:17-17)

Other times, we don’t know. It takes a loving friend to come along side us and whisper … Hey, I love you, and I want to help you see better. Our friend brings the mirror of God’s Word to us, helping us to see the truth. Again, the Holy Spirit goes to work, finishing up the process.

How is your spiritual vision? Do you see clearly, or do you need new glasses? Share on X

When our vision needs a good cleaning, there is nothing like the Word of God.

Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. (Ephesians 5:25-26)

The Word of God, together with the Holy Spirit and prayer, are the keys to seeing correctly.

• God’s Word illuminates our path so that we don’t stumble. (Psalm 119:105)
• The Holy Spirit helps us understand the meaning of God’s Word. (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:14)
• Through prayer, we ask for God to show us exactly what He wants us to know in His Word. (Psalm 119:18)

Once we see correctly, we are responsible to be obedient to anything God tells us. Whether it is to stop doing something, or to start doing something, once we know, we are accountable to obey. Otherwise, it’s like seeing potholes and pitfalls for what they are–and walking right into them (James 1:22-25)!

In Real Life …

The other morning I sat with God’s Word before me. Yes, my lenses are scratched. But I can still use them. My quiet time material posed a question about a particular area in my life. Am I using my circumstances as an excuse not to move forward, or am I afraid?

Honestly, I’m not sure! As I began to journal about it, I realized that it could be one or the other–or both! My spiritual vision needs tweaking. I’m spending more time in God’s Word, asking for the Holy Spirit to do His illuminating and convicting work. So that I can see, understand, and make the changes He wants me to.

Lately I’ve been praying something my mom prays:

Lord, change my mind about every issue you and I do not agree on. (Philippians 2:13)

If you want to read more about that, you can check it out here.

God wants us to see clearly. With clear vision comes clear understanding. When we understand what God wants us to, we can walk according to His plan for our lives. We can do the things He wants us too. Even if they are scary!

How is your spiritual vision? Do you see clearly, or do you need new glasses?