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Psalm 119:37 Turn my eyes away from looking at what is worthless, And revive me in Your ways.

Today I have again been thinking about what I can see – and what I cannot see. Several days ago, I wrote about the fact that I remember receiving my first pair of eyeglasses when I was a little girl and the wonder of that experience when I found that I could truly see for the first time.

This was back in the time when kids were often called names such as “four eyes” for those of us who wore glasses. I can truly say, I didn’t care – because I was so grateful to be able to see – and that was much more important to me. By comparison, their words meant nothing.

What prompted me to think about the ability to see again today is that I have a pair of prescription sunglasses I wear. A number of years ago, my eye doctor insisted that I need to wear sunglasses during the daytime when I am outside. Period. No exceptions. I had poor eyesight as a little girl and although there has actually been some improvement in that in recent years, in other ways the aging process is not doing my eyes any favors – which we all know is true of aging in general.

So, as I said, I have prescription sunglasses. However, I don’t buy new ones every time my prescription changes. Consequently, the prescription for my prescription sunglasses is from a few prescriptions ago. This is acceptable – up to a point. When I have my next annual eye exam in a few months, if I need a new prescription, I will probably also need to update my prescription sunglasses.

Our eyesight is important and we need to do all that we can to protect it. Additionally, what we choose to look at matters. As the verse at the beginning states, I don’t want to look “at what is worthless.” Not only is it a waste of time, but in many cases it can even be detrimental to my well-being – especially in a spiritual context. Just as I take my eye doctor’s guidance, I need to also seek and accept the Lord’s guidance about what to “take in” to myself through my eyes. Yet, what I cannot see – with my physical eyes – is also important.

Ours is not “blind faith” – because there is evidence for it. For example, I did not see Jesus die on the cross for my sins. Yet, there is very strong evidence that He did. There are eyewitness accounts in the Bible. There is extrabiblical evidence also for the historicity of that event. Ultimately, though, believing that He did – and that He did it for me – requires faith.

Father God, thank You so much that You loved me so much that You gave Your one and only Son to come to the earth and die on the cross in my place so that I can believe in You and have eternal life with You. Thank You that You did not send Him to condemn me, but so that I can be saved through Him. Lord, please turn my eyes away from worthless things – both physically and spiritually – and revive me in all Your ways so that I can follow You closely. Through Christ I pray, Amen.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.