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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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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