Which Lenses Do You Use?
I have to wear glasses to make out the individual leaves in the trees across the street. I need them to read the signs on the highway so I know when to exit today's insane high speed freeways. You might need glasses to see close up. We should all wear sunglasses to protect our eyes.
Glasses have many different designs. They make fashion statements. The frames can be unique. Yet, the whole reason you are spending hours trying on every pair they hand you; listening to the salesclerk as they tell you how good that pair looks on you- "No, wait, this pair. No, how about this pair..." while they pull frames from each case, going up in cost; is all for what sits inside them-the lense.
The lens will dictate whether you can see the squirrel in the road, the words on the page of your favorite book or the smile in a child's eye. When you wear the correct glasses, your world opens up. Your confidence kicks in. Everything IS coming up roses, now that you can see them!
There is another pair of lenses that we cannot take off. They are not where optometrists can reach. Those are the lenses that come from experience. Labels we put on ourselves or others have pushed upon us. Condemning words. Hurtful words. Angry words. Wounds. Events. Life in a broken world.
They make us feel ashamed. Worthless. Small. Invisible. Over time, we use these lenses to protect ourselves. To understand the world we live in. To lash out. To control. To hide behind.
What we don't understand is that these lenses are warped. They will not clearly tell us what we need to know to process the world around us. Instead, they help us stay stuck in our muck. We can't see the light coming through the branches in the Garden because the lens has darkened. We can't see the love in the other person's eyes because we are waiting to defend ourselves. We know there is a pit coming in our life up ahead so it's a lot easier to 'see it and jump in it' before we are pushed or fall into it. The cycle just keeps spinning because we see no way out.
Left to ourselves, our lenses will always bend towards self preservation. They will glean from all those uncomfortable, painful events and stick warning flags in our vision, fear signs in our path, or bomb shelter hideouts that stump our journey before us (so to speak).
The only way to know what reality is, is to test it. Against the Truth. That is outside of us.
How do those lenses match up to these? Be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Walk in humility, compassion, and forgiveness. Be kind. Have self-control. Give beyond what they ask for. Trust that God is in control. Walk in the fullness of grace and truth-bind them together. Be a light. Be a blessing , not a curse.
Lenses. Which ones do you see through?
Glasses have many different designs. They make fashion statements. The frames can be unique. Yet, the whole reason you are spending hours trying on every pair they hand you; listening to the salesclerk as they tell you how good that pair looks on you- "No, wait, this pair. No, how about this pair..." while they pull frames from each case, going up in cost; is all for what sits inside them-the lense.
The lens will dictate whether you can see the squirrel in the road, the words on the page of your favorite book or the smile in a child's eye. When you wear the correct glasses, your world opens up. Your confidence kicks in. Everything IS coming up roses, now that you can see them!
There is another pair of lenses that we cannot take off. They are not where optometrists can reach. Those are the lenses that come from experience. Labels we put on ourselves or others have pushed upon us. Condemning words. Hurtful words. Angry words. Wounds. Events. Life in a broken world.
They make us feel ashamed. Worthless. Small. Invisible. Over time, we use these lenses to protect ourselves. To understand the world we live in. To lash out. To control. To hide behind.
What we don't understand is that these lenses are warped. They will not clearly tell us what we need to know to process the world around us. Instead, they help us stay stuck in our muck. We can't see the light coming through the branches in the Garden because the lens has darkened. We can't see the love in the other person's eyes because we are waiting to defend ourselves. We know there is a pit coming in our life up ahead so it's a lot easier to 'see it and jump in it' before we are pushed or fall into it. The cycle just keeps spinning because we see no way out.
Left to ourselves, our lenses will always bend towards self preservation. They will glean from all those uncomfortable, painful events and stick warning flags in our vision, fear signs in our path, or bomb shelter hideouts that stump our journey before us (so to speak).
The only way to know what reality is, is to test it. Against the Truth. That is outside of us.
How do those lenses match up to these? Be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Walk in humility, compassion, and forgiveness. Be kind. Have self-control. Give beyond what they ask for. Trust that God is in control. Walk in the fullness of grace and truth-bind them together. Be a light. Be a blessing , not a curse.
We are to have the mind of Christ. Philippians 2:5. Let God's Word wash over your mind and change your 'vision'.
Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:12; Matt.5:41; 2 Peter 1:5; Phil. 2:13; 1 Cor. 6:20; Romans 12:2; Psalm 8:1; Luke 23:4; Phil 4:8; 2 Tim.1:7.
Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:12; Matt.5:41; 2 Peter 1:5; Phil. 2:13; 1 Cor. 6:20; Romans 12:2; Psalm 8:1; Luke 23:4; Phil 4:8; 2 Tim.1:7.
When we use the Perfect corrective lenses, our interaction with the world around us is more loving, forgiving, kind. We have a better understanding of what happens around us. Peace is found quicker.
It's a constant process. I have not mastered it; but, today I will pass over the worn glasses of my wounded heart and place the simple frames whose lenses sparkle with grace and Truth upon my nose.
Hopefully, clear, crystal clear lens of the Holy Spirit!
ReplyDeleteYes, that is the hope. Thanks for stopping by! ;)
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