Did you know that vision problems occur for a variety of reasons, but an imbalance in hormone levels is often the underlying cause? From childhood to old age everyone experiences hormone fluctuations which can affect all parts of the body including the eyes. So it comes as no surprise that as we age our eyesight deteriorates.
A change in perspective
That got me thinking. When your outer vision begins to fail that is a sure sign that your inner vision should be developing. We all need a change in perspective – a metaphorical replacement of lenses – to see with the eyes of your heart. Have you turned your thoughts, intentions and actions into a deeper spiritual journey? Surely 2020 and the coronavirus has given us ample opportunity for this change. Perhaps you only started on a change in perspective in this watershed year or did your journey begin through some other challenging circumstance? I believe that a change in perspective often comes through surviving some form of tragedy or heartache.
My change in perspective and how I looked at life and its meaning began in 2017. That was a time when I had seriously contemplated the meaning of my existence. Life had gravely disappointed me. I had come to the place of surrender of my dreams and aspirations and essentially the essence of who I believed I was. In that space I encountered God.
Accepted
Firstly I had experienced God’s acceptance of the mess of who I believed I was at the time. A devastated, broken, hurt and angry little crumpled ball with no energy left to look to the future. In that mess I experienced compassion, gentleness, being embraced and accepted and my healing began. I knew I had encountered my Creator but I had trust issues at the time that didn’t allow me to believe that I was truly loved.
I was also not too sure of who God and my Creator truly is and so my quest began. My search for the true identity and nature of God. I turned over many stones in my pursuit and asked many questions and even challenged God a few times. I remember once saying to God: “If you are real then where is my angel or my writing on the wall?” My answer came;
“Do not seek the supernatural things, but the supernatural One and the things will follow”.
Read more about how I encountered the supernatural One in my blog “Who is God?”
Forever Eyes
My transformation had started. My expedition of exploration had taken me to the other side of the world. The colourful world of India, a place known for its enlightenment. I still want to share about that amazing trip that helped me to refocus and continue my journey of seeing with “forever eyes”.
Ephesians 1: 18 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened (flooded with light), so that you can know (and understand) the hope to which He has called you. How rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints”.
With my enlightened “forever eyes” I now see and understand what Paul has written. We have an amazing hope. We don’t live on hopium, this is a promise. Not only do we have an inheritance to go to be with God when we leave this earth, but we are God’s inheritance! Let that settle in… we are God’s rich glorious inheritance. You, are God’s rich glorious inheritance.
How’s that for a change in perspective?
Goodness of God
I believed in eternal life and that I would one day experience the goodness of God in heaven. But what I longed and hoped for, was to see the goodness of God here on earth. My amazing journey of surrendering, seeking, asking and turning over stones brought me to a place where I can truly say I have seen the goodness of God here on earth. Do I still face challenges and difficult times? Definitely, but my perspective has changed. My focus has changed and my life circumstances have changed dramatically.
My feelings of my hope being restored and experiencing God’s goodness on this side of eternity, resonate in the words of King David in Psalm 27. It describes much of his turbulent life and yet his faith in God. When I read the last 2 verses of Psalm 27: 13 – 14 from the Amplified version, I so identify with what he has to say.
“What would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait and hope for and expect the Lord. Be strong and of good courage. Let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope and expect the Lord.”
Go on your own quest
I want to encourage you to go on your own quest. Go, seek earnestly, ask, turn over your own stones if need be and wait and expect. David purposefully repeats himself: “ Yes, wait for and hope and expect the Lord.”
This is what you can expect
Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart”
Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see You
So exciting to see how God has taken you through, and so encouraging to have been able to walk some of the journey with you
Yes, open our eyes God to the wonder of YOU ! Thanks for sharing Michelle, this has certainly been a year when we have needed to change our perspective and see the world with His eyes.