Where there is no vision, the people are out of control, But how blessed is he who keeps the law.
~Proverbs 29:18
Almost three years ago, I experienced a torn retina in my right eye. It was terrifying, but the Lord moved in a big way during that time—miraculously, really—to change my spiritual life. Sadly, the eye surgeries that followed also permanently changed my vision. See, in addition to the torn retina repair, I had to get a vitrectomy, which drains the vitreous fluid to rid it of debris to clear my vision. I share all that to say that since the vitrectomy procedure, my right eye has steadily becoming more nearsighted…while my left eye has remained farsighted. (In other words, prior to the tear, I could see far away just fine but needed reading glasses like most people in my age group.) Now, however, my left eye sees clearly at a distance, yet I cannot read with it, and my right eye sees clearly to read, but everything beyond six feet is a blur.
There’s a name for this phenomenon: monovision. One can actually function this way because the brain adjusts accordingly as you focus close in or far away. It’s super weird. And although my brain does adjust to my wonky eyes, I often feel a bit like that emoji with the spinning eyeballs. Actually, many people correct their eyes (via contact lenses or laser surgery) to create monovision, so they won’t have to wear bifocals or switch from readers to “seers” to look near then far.
This thought of monovision struck me in terms of the way we believers are called to live our lives. We must keep a focus on heaven—we are citizens of that Great Monarchy after all and subject to the King of kings. Everything we do, we’re to do as unto the Lord. Our perspective is meant to be from our position as the victorious and redeemed in Christ. This is like the eye that can clearly see far away to what is yet ahead. And at the same time, we’re to live in this world—to shine our light into the darkness, living like Christ and becoming more like Him daily as we journey back Home. This requirement for righteous activity (in response to our righteousness in Christ, not to earn it) equates to seeing close-up—what’s right in front of us.
Beloved, in walking through this fallen, broken world as saved (yet still broken) people, we must keep an eye heavenward in the knowledge of God’s Sovereignty and our ultimate destination. This vision gives us a peace and contentment no matter our circumstances. Yet we are also called to see the broken people around us, focusing on pointing others to Christ and doing our part in the Lord’s redemptive plan. We’re to “one another” one another, in love, grace, mercy, and service.
So, what about you? Is your focus only on what the world cares about, trying to satisfy yourself in what your flesh and pride desire (solely nearsighted)? Or are you, as it’s been said, “so heavenly focused that your no earthly good” (that is, too farsighted)? Let’s be encouraged to a monovisioned life! Just as our brain adjusts to see clearly at different distances, so the Holy Spirit will give us the clarity to be in this world and not of it…keeping a dual perspective as one rescued and on the rescue team.
Lord, may I never lose my vision for either my heavenly identity in Christ OR my earthly purpose to glorify You. But let me live with a view for both.
encouraged by grace 