When Losing Sight Helps Us See More Clearly - Martin Wiles

Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he was blind. Acts 9:8 NLT

I’m not blind, but I fear becoming that way one day.

At a young age, I was told my eyesight was poor. I needed glasses. Since then, my eyes have progressively gotten worse. Every four years, the optometrist would tell me I needed stronger lenses. Now, at sixty-five, I suffer from chronic dry eye disease, nearsightedness, and glaucoma risk. Additionally, I must wear bifocals. As a young child, I feared going blind. My fear is greater now than then. I muddle through most days with on-and-off blurred vision, not because I need stronger lenses—the ones I have are new—but because the glands that lubricate my eyes are damaged beyond repair.

Paul’s blindness had nothing to do with poor eyesight—unless this episode led to poor eyesight being his thorn in the flesh, as some have suggested. He was a staunch advocate of Judaism, hated this new sect called The Way, and spent his days hunting down Jesus followers. For him, they deserved persecution, jail, or death. Until God blinded him so he could see. He was like the other religious leaders Jesus rebuked. Jesus told them they needed to be blind (spiritually) so they could see. Unfortunately, most of them wouldn’t trade the legalistic sight they had for the spiritual blindness they needed.

I may have come into the world physically sighted, but I was spiritually blind. God things weren’t on my mind. Although at some point, I recognized there was something or someone greater than I was, I never bothered to search out this Being until he blinded me as he did Paul. Unlike Paul, I didn’t lose my physical sight, but I did have to become blind to my own ambitions and wants so I could see the proper way. Paul did too.

In Paul’s blindness, the risen Christ spoke to him. He believed, and his sight was restored—literally and spiritually. From that moment, he became the greatest proponent of what he once violently opposed.

Believing I was a sinner who needed to see clearly—and then turning to Jesus Christ, who paid for my sins—was how I received my sight. It’s the only way any of us can see.

Be willing to go blind so God can restore your sight.

Father, I praise you for providing for my salvation. Blind me to myself, so I can see your plan and purpose. 

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Visually Impaired - Martin Wiles

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. Isaiah 53:3 NLT

Without them, my world is one big blob of indistinguishable faces and blurry images.

While some wear glasses with plastic frames simply because they think they are stylish, this wasn’t the case when I first got them. Wearing glasses wasn’t popular. The derogatory term for those who did was “four eyes.” I endured the agony of being labeled. I was visually impaired and could do nothing about it but endure the agony of rejection and blurriness.

By the time I was retirement age, things hadn’t changed much. My blurry world remained the same if I removed my glasses. Then, my cornea specialist diagnosed me as possibly having early stages of glaucoma. Additionally, he diagnosed me with dry-eye disease.

Many also rejected the Messiah because they were visually impaired—just not physically. Theirs was a spiritual impairment because they missed such prophecies as this one and majored on ones dealing with His conquering nature.

What caused them to be sighted but blind can bring the same result in our lives. Pride can lead to visual impairment. The ancient Jews were filled with it. Jesus illustrated their prideful nature by talking about a Pharisee and a tax collector who prayed in the Temple. The Pharisee thanked God he wasn’t like other people, especially the filthy tax collector standing in the corner.

Pride leads to trouble every time. It is one of those sins God particularly despises because of its bitter consequences. Pride makes us think we’re better than others for whatever reasons we can concoct. The sin of pride brought Adam and Eve’s downfall and will bring one to anyone who lets it creep into their lives.

Prejudice will also impair our spiritual vision. Most of the ancient Jews thought they were better than their Gentile neighbors. After all, God had chosen the Jews as his special possession. Although God had a unique plan for them, it included bringing Gentiles into God’s fold. Unfortunately, the Jews often ignored God’s plan because they thought they were superior.

Additionally, selfishness impairs our spiritual vision. When life is all about us, we won’t see God’s plan—even when it’s staring us in the face. Selfishness causes us to miss God’s best while keeping the focus on me, myself, and I.

Don’t walk around with spiritual blindness. Let God remove those things that keep you from seeing his best.  

Father, give me the courage to put away those things that would spiritually impair my vision. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Seeing Dimly - Martin Wiles

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV

Things were clouding over, and I was getting nervous.

My eyesight had been getting worse. Around mid-life, I heard the optometrist pronounce that I was a good candidate for glaucoma, so he began treating me with drops. I also discovered I had dry-eye disease, which required more drops. 

Things cleared up, temporarily. One month into my new venture, the vision in my left eye clouded over. Blurriness reigned, and I got more nervous by the day. My wife called the doctor and scheduled an appointment. Fortunately, it was only pink eye.

I’ve been seeing things dimly since I was about ten years old. Without glasses, I see more dimly now than then, and I have no hope my eyes will improve. Paul saw dimly as well. Scholars conjecture that he may have had poor eyesight, but the sight he speaks of here is spiritual.

Though we see dimly, Jesus, as God’s representative on earth—and God in the flesh--could see clearly. When He cleared the Court of the Gentiles of merchants who were cheating worshipers, he could see their deception and how they prevented Gentiles from worshiping. When Nicodemus came with questions, Jesus saw he needed a new birth. When the disciples marveled over the grandeur of the Temple, Jesus saw its coming destruction.

I’ve resigned that my eyesight will never improve. Glasses will ornament my face until I die. But though my eyesight will never be 20/20 physically, I can see 20/20—or at least close to it--spiritually.

Like those who produce plays or movies, God first wrote the final chapter of our lives. The plan is in place; we must simply consult Him on how to get there. Nor is God out to conceal the plan. We can know His plan and trust that it’s good. He wants us to live a whole life, and accomplishing His purpose is the only way. He’ll gladly allow us to see His plan clearly if we ask.

Don’t wonder why you’re here. God has a purpose for you. Seek it out through prayer and meditation on His Word. He’ll be happy to reveal it to you.

Father, I ask You to show me Your purpose and plan for my life. 

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Seeing Jesus Clearly - Martin Wiles

So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” Genesis 41:38 NLT

I call them my “blurry-eyed days,” and nothing I do can change it.

Living with glaucoma and dry-eye disease is challenging. Four different types of drops applied multiple times daily keeps both diseases under control, but, short of surgery, no cure exists for either. Despite my meticulous applying of the drops, some days are blurry from the moment I open my eyes in the morning until the time I close them at night. According to the doctor, dry-eye disease is the culprit. Glands that lubricate my eyes are damaged—some completely destroyed.

So I’ve learned to live with my blurry-eyed days. Fortunately, they don’t come around that often. When they do, I sit closer to the computer, use my drops more often, realize I won't recognize faces until they get closer to me, and know I must hold material closer to read it. The next day will be better. Things will clear up.

Pharaoh didn’t have blurry vision. He could see clearly that the Spirit of the living God dwelled in this young man who’d been brought out of prison and interpreted his dreams—dreams no other wise man in Egypt could interpret. After Joseph told him what his dreams meant and what he should do because of their meaning, Pharaoh saw God clearly through Joseph.

While dry-eye disease keeps me from seeing things clearly on some days, I never want others not to see Jesus clearly in me. I want His light to shine brightly through me—as it did with Joseph. Pharaoh saw something different in Joseph.

Living as Jesus did lets others see Him clearly in us. Jesus performed acts of kindness everywhere He went. People needed physical, emotional, and mental healing, and He offered it freely. While I can’t heal, I can offer comfort to those who need it, and I can pray for them as they seek it through other sources. I can help them when they can’t help themselves. Kindness characterized Jesus’ every move, and it can mine as well.

Anger, unforgiveness, prejudice, and unconcern keeps people from seeing Jesus clearly in me. Sure, His presence might shine through such stuff occasionally—or in limited measure—but these attitudes dim His light in me, and they also keep me from seeing God-sent opportunities. God, however, heals such attitudes when asked.

Get rid of anything that keeps others from seeing Jesus clearly in you.

Tweetable: Are you seeing God's will clearly?

Prayer: Father, remove any attitudes or actions that prevent Your light in us from being seen clearly. 

  

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Life Cycles - Martin Wiles

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 Corinthians 5:1 NLT

The days of getting up and being ready in fifteen minutes are gone.

Although I’m in relatively good health, my life cycle has changed. This fact dawned on me one morning when it seemed I simply could not get ready.

A recent diagnosis of glaucoma and dry eye disease means I have to use four types of drops daily. One twice a day, another four times a day, another once a day, and still another once a day. Keeping up with the schedule taxes my brain.

Patches of extremely dry skin resulted in a prescription cream which must be applied twice a day for two weeks with two weeks off before repeating the treatment again.

And then there are the pills I swallow. One to control my acid reflux. A daily aspirin because I’m over 50, along with the daily vitamin to make sure I get what I might not through food. Add a beta blocker to regulate my Tachycardia. Then the three fish oil pills to restore moisture to my eyes. Finishing off the list is another over the counter acid reducer to help the prescription strength one finish off the day.

I shouldn’t complain—and usually don’t. Others are worse off than me. My wife has a pouch full of medicine she must take daily to deal with health issues far more severe than mine. And those with rare diseases or other life-altering medical issues can top her—such as my brother who has Parkinson’s.

Reading what Paul says is comforting—and should be for all who have reached the later life cycle or are suffering from life-altering medical challenges. I may not spend as much time as some dolling up certain parts of my body or toning my muscles, but neither do I neglect it through unhealthy habits. Regardless, it’s going to do what bodies do: age, change, and eventually die.

I can’t keep this body alive, but God can—and will. Just not in its present form. When I die—or when Christ returns, this body will be transformed and fitted for my eternal home. A home where no pain, sickness, disease, medicine, or death will inhabit. Nor will there be any more life cycles.

Enjoy the life cycles—in spite of the changes they bring. They mean you are one step closer to eternity.

Prayer: Father, give us grace to endure the changes we must face as we gracefully age. 

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Visually Impaired - Martin Wiles

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. Isaiah 53:3 NLT

Without them, my world is one big blob of indistinguishable faces and blurry images. 

While some wear glasses with plastic frames simply because they think glasses are stylish, such wasn’t the case when I first got glasses. Wearing glasses wasn’t popular. The derogatory term for those who did was “four eyes.” I endured the agony of being labeled. I was visually impaired and could do nothing about it but endure the agony of rejection and blurriness. 

Forty-five years later, things haven’t changed much. My blurry world remains the same if I remove my glasses. Recently, my cornea specialist diagnosed me as being in the early stages of glaucoma. Additionally, I was diagnosed with dry-eye disease. 

The Messiah’s rejection came because those living at the time were also visually impaired—just not physically. Theirs was a spiritual impairment because they missed such prophecies as this one and majored on ones dealing with His conquering nature. 

What caused them to be sighted but blind can bring about the same result in my life. Pride can lead to visual impairment. The ancient Jews were filled with it. Jesus illustrated their prideful nature by telling about a Pharisee and a tax collector who prayed in the Temple. The Pharisee thanked God he wasn’t like other people, especially the filthy tax collector standing in the corner. 

Pride leads to a downfall every time. It is one of those sins God particularly despises because of the bitter consequences it can bring. Pride makes me think I’m better than others for whatever reasons I can concoct. The sin of pride brought Adam and Eve’s downfall, and it will bring one to anyone who lets pride creep into their lives.

Prejudice will also impair my spiritual vision. Most of the ancient Jews thought they were better than their Gentile neighbors. After all, God had chosen the Jews as His special possession. Though God had a special plan for them, the plan included their bringing Gentiles into God’s fold. Unfortunately, they often ignored God’s plan because they thought they were better than the Gentiles. 

Selfishness impairs my spiritual vision as well. When life is all about me, I won’t see God’s plan—even when it’s staring me in the face. Selfishness causes me to miss God’s best while keeping the focus on me, myself, and I. 

Are you walking around sighted, but blind? 

Prayer: Father, give us courage to put away those things that would spiritually impair our vision.

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Thanks to all our faithful followers who are "sharing" our posts--please keep it up! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Help us spread God's encouragement through his love lines.