The Eyes With Which We See

Trials.  We all have them.  We often associate that word with emotional and mental states.  However, we do have trials of a physical nature.  Health trials can be the most perplexing because we often do not understand them.  From cancer to cold sores, we experience illnesses in the physical and give very little thought to how they are associated with our sickness in the spiritual.

The eye.  Quite a remarkable organ. It has the ability to refract and reflect light.  I had quite a difficult time drawing one.  As a matter of fact, I didn't like what I had drawn until I used the filter on my phone to create the image you see above.  Using the right filter setting, my drawing became more realistic.  I actually was glad I had that filter setting available to me. 

Someone very close to me has an eye infection.  We do not know the source of it, but it has continued to be a plague of sorts for well over the last two years.  During a recent prayer asking for healing, the Lord struck me with a thought.   "It's not a matter of the physical eye, but a matter of the eyes of the heart."

Most of us have heard it said that God does not look at the outward man:  1 Samuel 16:7,  "Adonai doesn’t see the way humans see — humans look at the outward appearance, but Adonai looks at the heart.”   And Jeremiah 17:10, "I, Adonai, search the heart; I test inner motivations; in order to give to everyone what his actions and conduct deserve.” (Complete Jewish Bible)  God has the real perspective about us.  Do we?  Most likely not.  While we constantly turn things one way or another to evaluate them properly, we  also have to remember that we cannot always look at things through our own eyes.  We must tap into the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit that lives within us to truly see what is going on in and around us (not to mention to us).

"We concentrate not on what is seen but on what is not seen, since things seen are temporary, but things not seen are eternal." I Corinthians 4:18 (Complete Jewish Bible)

It's not that we are looking at things through rose-tinted glasses.  Life seems too challenging for us to think it's all sunshine and roses.  However, as 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (Complete Jewish Bible)  I know, you've vaguely heard that before and now you're asking, "what does that even mean?"

Let me share this verse in two other translations:

For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God]. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

At present we are men looking at puzzling reflections in a mirror. The time will come when we shall see reality whole and face to face! At present all I know is a little fraction of the truth, but the time will come when I shall know it as fully as God now knows me! (J.B. Phillips New Testament)

When we evaluate our lives through our mind's eye, so -to-speak -  our own thinking and emotions -  things become muddy, "blurred," and "puzzling."  We get so caught up in our own version of things that we lose sight of reality and begin to own facets of the situation that we are not meant to own, and quite frankly, are in error.  We begin to internalize that erroneous thinking and then stress, anxiety, and fear take over us.  Before we know it, we are experiencing the physical manifestation of all that is churning within us and our bodies begin to fail us.  We seek medical help from the best we have available to us at our current price point and we forget that the Spirit of the Great Physician is living inside the very soul that inhabits our broken flesh.

So, what is the answer?  Where do we turn if all that is manifesting on the outside is a direct correlation to what is ailing us on the inside? 

We must learn to use our spiritual eyes, tuning in to that still small voice that guides us, and then we will begin to find joy, peace, direction and most of all, clarity in whatever situation we find ourselves. 

Galatians 5:25 says "If the Holy Spirit is living in us, let us be led by Him in all things." (New Life Version)  Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would come.  As a matter of fact, Jesus had to leave us in order for the Spirit to descend.

"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I don’t go away, the comforting Counselor will not come to you. However, if I do go, I will send him to you. " John 16:7 (Complete Jewish Bible)

And, why was it so important that the Holy Spirit come?  He told us that, too: 

“If you love me, you will keep my commands;  and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another comforting Counselor like me, the Spirit of Truth, to be with you forever. The world cannot receive him, because it neither sees nor knows him. You know him, because he is staying with you and will be united with you. . . I have told you these things while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Ruach HaKodesh [Holy Spirit], whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything; that is, he will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:15-16, 25 (Complete Jewish Bible, emphasis mine)

We often quote Philippians 4:13 without really considering what it means.  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  But do you know why you can?  It is a very important truth that we all need to know that we know that we know! 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" for "He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness" because "the same Spirit of Him who rose Jesus from the dead dwells in you." (Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 8:11)

It seems strange to ask it this way, but with what eyes are you looking at your life?  Do you use the corruptible vision of the flesh? Consider how often that vision is corrected with lenses that amplify, clarify and enhance what we see.  Are those lenses reliable or can they easily be broken and shattered?  Our lives are not much different.  Broken hearts, manipulated emotions and layers of anger, resentment and pain skew how we see ourselves and those around us.

But it doesn't have to be that way.  We can see clearly!  We have been given the power of the Holy Spirit and the streams of Living Water which can cleanse and heal our wounds, emotional, spiritual, mental and physical.   It may not happen overnight.  But as you allow the Holy Spirit to renew your mind and heart, your spiritual eyes will begin to focus on that which is  "excellent , ...admirable, ... all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8, Common English Bible)

We can be healed from the inside out.  It is a choice.  But first, we must "fix our eyes on the things that [we] can't see now" (from Hillsong United's song "Here Now (Madness)").  And, when the unseen is finally revealed out in the open, the Light will penetrate the darkness and all the blessings of Heaven will fill the earth and the mysteries of God will be revealed.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love  he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,  to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,  which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight  making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:3-14 (English Standard Version, emphasis mine)