Bountiful eyes with Jesus-inspired vision. Is this how we see today?
By Dean Collins
How are your eyes? I never thought much about mine until I was in my mid-40s. Until then my vision worked just fine. I remember taking a vision test in elementary school that resulted in some discussion of me having a lazy eye. After a trip to the doctor, it was determined my eyes were just fine.
At age 44 I went to the optometrist, and he asked me a few questions I thought were odd. “Have you noticed that you hold a book a little farther from your eyes to see clearly? How about reading a menu in a restaurant? Are your arms long enough to hold the menu where you can see it?!” The doctor said to relax; I was experiencing presbyopia which is a normal part of the aging process. The solution was a pair of reading glasses.
Our vision has a big impact on our ability to read and navigate space safely on foot or driving a car. If you have trouble seeing clearly, then getting to the optometrist is an easy step to finding a resolution. But there are other eye problems that medical intervention can’t help. These issues have more to do with how we view the world and especially how we see the people around us and those around the globe.
Injustice and vision
The writer of Proverbs appears to connect injustice to potential vision problems. Proverbs 22:8-9 says this:
“Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail. Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”
No reference to the shape, age, or color of our eyes. All that seems to matter is whether we have an abundant or wide view of others. The implication is that when we see others, do we act with generosity toward them? Or do we ignore what we see or, worse, treat them unkindly or unjustly?
Follower-ship and vision
As believers, we are called to follow the ways and instructions of Jesus. To have the mind of Christ suggests that the more we grow in our follower-ship of Jesus, the more we should view the world and the people in the world through his eyes. The eyes of Jesus are bountiful and compassionate all the time and for all people.
Lord, open our eyes that we might see people as you see them. We ask that your Holy Spirit expand our view so that we might see the brokenness you see and offer grace and love to everyone we meet. Thank you for our daily bread and stir in our hearts generosity for those in need. We want to see with your eyes and respond with your love today and every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Proverbs 22:8-9 ESV
Photo by David Travis on Unsplash
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