New Vision
Have you ever looked through a kaleidoscope and seen bits of material reflected in an endless variety of patterns? It’s fascinating and fun! But imagine if that was your vision 24/7. Wouldn’t it be difficult? I previously worked with a student who had a physical condition that caused that kind of vision all the time. As his school aide, I became his eyes. It was certainly a challenge! It took a long time, but I was able to understand in a small way how he saw things. But his perspective was so different than mine. I would often guess what my student could see, only to discover it appeared to him completely different than I ever imagined!
Perspective intrigues me. One weekend after grabbing a bite to eat in New Haven, I drove by a nearby city high school. I was in awe at the size of the building, the tennis courts, and track. Next, I headed up to East Rock, a mountainous ridge that has a view from the cliff top that spans the city and Long Island Sound. I once again observed the school from this new perspective of high elevation. The high school loomed large and spacious up close, but when viewed from a distance with the greenery of the maple trees, dogwoods, and pines all around, it looked like just another building blending into the city landscape. The track and tennis courts were also barely noticeable from that height. I felt a tug on my heart to learn from what I observed.
I guess sometimes I think the way I see things is the way everyone sees them. Other times, I have to admit that I believe my perspective about something or someone is the right perspective. Then I am humbled when I feel that tug on my heart during my quiet time with God. He lovingly points out my pride and narrow-mindedness and invites me to see with His eyes. I’m comforted when I read Bible stories about the disciples making the same mistakes as me. Often, they see things one way and Jesus patiently rebukes them. He encourages them to consider His perspective.
The gospel of Luke records a time the disciples James and John asked Jesus if He wanted them to command fire to come down from heaven and consume a whole village of Samaritans! The disciples were angry because the Samaritans chose to reject Jesus and would not receive him. They actually believed they could destroy the villagers with a request for fiery judgment from God. They probably thought they had great faith, right? They even justified their desire by comparing themselves to the Old Testament prophet Elijah! But Jesus saw their hearts. The Samaritans were their enemies. Many Jews, even the disciples, hated them. Even though the Samaritans rejected Jesus, He saw them differently. He looked at those who rejected Him with mercy. Jesus tells them their spirit was wrong and corrects the disciples, “The Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke 9: 56) He and his disciples continue to another village, but I’m sure the disciples felt a tug on their hearts.
Learning to see like Jesus causes our hearts to make u-turns. My eyes open in a new way when I pray or read His Word. Just like getting to know my student helped me to understand what he could see in a small way, spending time with Jesus is helping me to see through His eyes. Sometimes it’s just a peek of His love, other times I see the great beauty of His grace like a whirling kaleidoscope. My prayer is to see my enemies with His merciful eyes. I want to allow His loving rebuke to change my perspective. When I look at my enemies and clearly see their sin as monumental, I want God’s love to tug on my heart. I want to watch mercy sweep over their souls leveling the landscape, as Jesus did mine. Only by acknowledging my need for His perspective can I boldly ask and receive new sight from the One who came to save. What about you? Do you want to see what He sees?
