Clear Vision

Psalm 25:4-5 – Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long. (NIV)

The early morning sky hung heavy with dark clouds. I hoped that the forecast of no precipitation would be correct. Travelling along the busy multi-lane highway during the transition between rain and snow would be an unnerving journey. Through my passenger window, I watched as the silhouettes of bare branches stencilled the horizon. As dawn broke, I could see the occupants in passing vehicles. Some sipped coffee, others were talking, and one man strained to see through his windshield. Curiosity caused me to investigate further to determine the reason for his close and intent gaze. As his car passed by, I could see that although the side windows were clear, his windshield was covered with a grimy, streaky film that clouded his vision. I checked our own windshield, and to my surprise, our vision was also being obscured by a dirty film. The clear, wet pavement had been salted, and a light mist sprayed up from vehicle tires as they sped across its surface, blanketing windshields with a dirty, brown residue. Just as I was formulating my observation, my husband Jeff hit the wiper switch, washing away the grime, and declaring, "I can see!"

It seems that as humans, we have trouble with our vision: We are either looking at our circumstances or at ourselves too closely, or not closely enough. We look too far into the future or dwell on the past. We look at what others have, what they can do, and who they know; and we make comparisons or judgements based on what we see. It's no wonder we lose our way.

2 Corinthians 5:7 – For we live by faith, not by sight. (NIV)

In God's great wisdom, He created us with this visual impairment. We can't see the future or the broad scope of events like God can. The selfishness of sin further clouds the matter, causing us to prefer to see things our way, not God's. The only answer is complete reliance on Him for guidance. By faith, we must trust His vision and direction. He alone knows the paths we should take, and all we have to do is call on Him. God sees us and our circumstances from a different perspective. I was able to see the road ahead of the other driver clearly through my side window. From my vantage point, I had no difficulty seeing the man's problem and the solution: road salt needing a swish of the wipers to clear away the filth. I could also see that there were no obstacles ahead of him; his path was clear. But I had no way of communicating with him, and watched helplessly as he gripped the wheel and strained to see through the grime. Thankfully, God sees things clearly, and we are freely able to seek God's guidance at any time, from anywhere.

Psalm 121:1-2,7-8 – I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (NIV 2011)

Prayer: Loving Father, we freely lift our hearts to You in prayer and thanksgiving. As we seek Your guidance, speak to us. Open the eyes of our hearts, and tenderly lead us through this day. Amen.

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