Category Archives: Developing Faith

My Father’s Eyes: What Is Your Spiritual Eyesight?

When I was young I had a crossed eye which seriously affected my vision. I wore an eye patch on my right eye to straighten and strengthen the left eye. It straightened the eye to the point of looking normal so I no longer was like Clarence the cross eyed lion; but the vision never was restored to the left eye.

The eye patch I wore was a black cloth patch that tied around my head, like a real pirate patch! Of course wearing such a patch to school became a cause of ridicule and teasing. Besides being teased, wearing the patch was frustrating because I was forced to see, read and write with one, not so “good” eye. I confess I cheated, often. I would lift up the corner of the patch with the tip of my pencil or fingers and read with the good eye.

Since I have been diagnosed with macular degeneration in both eyes, I have become more focused on saving what sight remains. I have been studying about the eyes and sight in the Bible.

In a previous blog I wrote about having “My Father’s Eyes,” which involves learning to see people and circumstance with the eyes of God, not my worldly eyes. The scriptures have much more to say about our “spiritual eyesight.”

What You See Is What You ARE!
The Bible has much to say about how we see things. Luke 11:34-35 states, “Your eye is the lamp of your body, when your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.”

In the context of this passage, Jesus is speaking about greed and selfishness, and is basically using an expression that is associated with a generous eye towards others. However the thought that our spiritual eyes or our perspective is the light that directs our inner self is true.

Our focus, our spiritual sight, is the center or lamp from which we interpret and act upon life. If my vision is clear, that is, if I am seeing things through God’s truth, then my motives and deeds are righteous; but, if my vision is darkened by self, greed or worldliness then darkness and confusion reign in my life.

Pray for Right Sight
The apostle Paul understood the importance of spiritual sight. It is so important that we see God and ourselves in relationship to Him correctly that Paul spent time praying for the disciples to see it right. Ephesians 1:18 records his prayer for the spiritual vision of the disciples to be increased that they will know God and His love more deeply.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints”  Ephesians 1:18-19 (NASB)

I have to ask myself, “Am I seeing God for who He really is, or is my sight dimmed and blurred by my ideas or the world’s ideas of God?” 
I think it is a good idea to pray daily that the eyes of our hearts will be opened that we may see the truth and wonders of God.

God Invests in Our Eyesight
What we see spiritually is important to God. He wants us to know about Him and the good news of Jesus. God specifically set Paul aside to go and “open the eyes “of people that they might see their lost state and God’s salvation. See what God says to Paul.

“ I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Acts 26:17-18

I love the fact that God is actually helping us learn the truth about Him so that we will know Him and come into a relationship with Him. It is refreshing to know that God cares about my growth and is directing my learning.

In Revelation 3:18, the Lord warns and encourages the church in Laodicea to buy salve for their eyes that they might see themselves and the world with right spiritual sight.

“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”

God is so invested in how we see Him, ourselves and the world that He sent His Son and appointed Him to gives us true spiritual sight. This message is made clear by Jesus in Luke 4:18.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free…”

I have to ask myself, “What am I willing to do to get this spiritual sight from God?”

God Gives Us a Focus
In 2 Corinthians 4:18 we read that God directs us to focus on the spiritual; not the worldly.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Again in Hebrew 12:2, God encourages us to “look at” the person and life of Jesus. When I look at my problems I can be overwhelmed. When I look at my sin I can be despaired. When I look to myself and my wisdom I lose my way. When I focus on Jesus, I am re-directed and strengthened. Like Peter in Matthew 14:22-33 when he fixed his eyes on Jesus he walked on the water, we too will be able to walk on the waves of life if we keep our eyes on Jesus.

“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3

My Father’s Eyes

I am a visual freak, so to speak. I am not an artist, photographer or designer, but I love looking at color and light and how they play off one another, especially outside in nature. I can look out my window at the same scene in our yard anytime during the day, and I will see something different and uniquely beautiful depending on the angle of the sun light. The same leaves on a tree can appear golden at one point in the morning, while shimmery silver at another time, even the shadows create beauty.

I am on a journey of losing my eyesight through macular degeneration. This has caused me to focus more on what I see around me, and what I see spiritually.

My Eyesight Affects My Life
I strive for clarity in my physical eyesight as well as in the eyes of my heart. I need clear vision in my spiritual life, to find my way with God and man. The eyes through which I see other people, my relationships, events, trials/difficulties, achievements, etc., in my life will make a significant difference in my faith and how I live out that faith in my life.

When I am hurt by another person, do I see them as someone to avoid, and complain about; or, do I see them through God’s eyes of forgiveness and patient endurance?

When my children behave in ways that embarrass me, do I see them with eyes of condemnation, shame and despair; or, do I see them through God’s eyes of grace and persevering love?

When I am passed over for some position, promotion or honor, do I look at those who made the decision with bitterness and anger; or do I see it as God working out what is best for me, and do I look for His will and His timing?

When I struggle with physical illness or limitations, such as my weakening eyesight, do I look at God with accusing eyes, and charge Him with not loving me; or do I look to Him with faith and seek to surrender my will?

In 1979, Amy Grant released a song entitled, “My Father’s Eyes.” In the song, Amy Grant sings of how she wants to see people and life through the eyes of God so much so that when she dies, she will be recognized in eternity by the fact that she has “her Father’s eyes.”

Eyes of the Father: Compassion
Jesus reveals to us the eyes of the Father. In Mark 1:40-45 Jesus meets a leper on the road. Jesus looked at the leper through eyes of compassion and healed him. The scripture says; “Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, v.31.

Leprosy was not pleasant to look at, smell or touch, but it moved Jesus to compassion and action.

Sin is like leprosy, it rots our heart. It distorts our character and disposition. It is not pleasant to be around a person ruled by a sin, such as anger, bitterness, addictions, pride, and so on. The question for me is: How do I look at someone who is struggling with sin? Do I have compassion and reach out or do I draw back?

Take it a step further, how do I look at someone who is different from me, or from societies “nice” norms? Someone who is homeless or very poor? How do I view someone who is uneducated; someone who dresses on a weird style; or someone who has a disability?  Do I avoid them or reach out to them?

Eyes of the Father: Grace
In John 8:1-11 Jesus meets an adulterous woman. She was, so to speak, thrown at Jesus’ feet. The men who brought her to Jesus expected Him to look on her with condemnation.

According to the Law, she was to be stoned, but Jesus looked at her through the Father’s eyes of mercy. In mercy He released her. He moved the men from condemnation to grace. Each man dropped his stone and turned away.

When someone has sinned, most especially when someone has personally sinned against me, am I willing to drop my stones; the stone of judgement; the stone of accusation; the stone of blame; the stone of condemnation or revenge?

Eyes of the Father: Love
In Mark 10:17-27, a young ruler talks to Jesus about eternal life. This young man seems to have it all: wealth, status, power and a relationship with God. Yet, when Jesus asked him to give up the one thing that he loved more than God, he couldn’t do it. He struggled and walked away sad.

Even though Jesus knew this man would reject Him, the scripture states, “Jesus looked at him and loved him,” verse 21.

God looks at us in love even when we struggle to do what is right. When we fail, there is love. When we turn away from God, He watches for our return with eyes of love, Luke 15:11-32.

God does not overlook sin, but rather He chooses to look at us through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.

What do I choose to see? Do I look at people who are struggling with eyes of love or frustration? Do I look at those who fail me with eyes of love or accusation? Do I look at people who turn away from God with mercy and perseverance, or do I write them off as lost causes?

Do You Have the Father’s Eyes?
As a disciple of Jesus, I would like to think I have my Father’s eyes, but after reviewing these passages I have had to examine my vision more deeply. So, today when I pray for my physical eyesight, I will more urgently pray for my spiritual eyesight, to have my Father’s eyes.
What about you dear Reader? Maybe, it is time for an eye exam?