Our Spiritual Eye

Job 42:5-6 – [Job said to God,] "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes." (NRSV)

For many years, Jane and I had talked regularly on the telephone, conducting business. Her voice was controlled, business-like, brief, and to the point — a professional person doing her job. I visualized her as tall, thin, with high-collared blouses and tailored jackets. I had not been impressed.

One day, we both attended the same business conference and were able to see each other eye to eye. A short, petite lady with the sweetest smile I've ever seen approached me, saying: "Hi, I'm Jane."

I was dumbstruck. This could not be the same person I'd talked with on the telephone. I had misjudged this person with my pre-conceived images.

On a spiritual level, how do we see Christ? We hear others talk about Him. We form our own images of what we think He's like. We say we are friends or acquaintances with Him, but until we experience a personal contact, we do not know what He's like. The strict disciplinarian father we have visualized in the past may turn into a smiling, gentle young man with whom we can talk without fear.

As we pray and read the Bible, the Spirit gives us insight to see Him differently from our preconceived images. Our vision becomes clearer as we get to know Him personally. Instead of the image others have given us, we form an image of our own. Through love, forgiveness, and grace that grows in our lives, we see Christ much more clearly.

Prayer: Lord, clear our vision that we may see You more clearly, and not simply depend on what others have told us about You. Amen.

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