Focus

Focus is important. If the eyes do not focus properly, we cannot see things with the clarity needed to accurately portray the physical world to our brains. If microscopes and telescopes did not focus, we would not be able to see things like bacillus subtilus or the sombrero galaxy in any detail. Lack of focus can create distortions about reality. We would be peering into mirrors dimly as the apostle, Paul once observed. How did he put it?

" For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

For the uninitiated, that's from the love chapter of I Corinthians - chapter 13, vs 12. He is talking about perception. He's talking about what we see and what we know about reality, about how things are and about how things should be. He is talking about the way we see spiritually and what kind of focus we have about such things and about how that will will one day change when something called "the completeness" comes. It's about focus.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,^[c] your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy,^[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"

So focus is all about the availability of the proper light with which to see reality, otherwise you are in darkness, able to perceive very little.

But it goes much deeper than that does it not? Mirrors and eyes really only observe what is going on outside of ourselves. And while it's true that what is going on outside of ourselves does much to reveal the truth of our existence, it is not the end of it is it? No. So really, Mirrors and eyes are just symbols for our perception are they not? It's our perception and what we choose to expose that perception to that determines the reality we perceive. 

If we choose to see a godless, existential universe then we will see one. And why is this? It's because we have preconceived notions about reality before we ever look at it closely with any focus, on our own, without the colored glasses of the world. We also have attitudes and motivations that have formed within our minds and spirits that color the way we see things. They come from good places and bad places and neutral places, but they still color our world and influence how we react to it.

Jesus wanted to stop this lack of focus and end the prejudice that we have from living in a distorted, out of focus world bent by sin. He wanted to restore the vision that His Father had when He created the Universe all those millennia ago. He wanted us to be able to "see" everything with spiritual clarity. Of course, if you refuse to acknowledge that anything spiritual actually exists, then many things will remain out of focus for you. Your unhealthy eyes will not let in the light. Your perception of reality will only and always be partial. 

Now if you are a Christian, you know what I am saying is true, but does this mean the light of your own perception is as bright as it should be? Are you really seeing things as God intended you to see them or are you still grappling in the shadows to determine the true form of things or the proper direction in which to go? Paul said that if we want to know how to live according to God's vision, we had to live by the Spirit. Are you living by the Spirit? Are your preconceived notions about the universe in which you live coloring your perception? Are you allowing the things of the world to determine how you live? Do you deal with the pressures of life through living by the Spirit or is your pressure vent more worldly?

For us who have faith, we have no other option but to live by the Spirit. We are supposed to be dead to all the preconceived notions about life in our world, but sometimes it's like we chose not to die to them isn't it? We keep the old self on life support in case we need him. 

If this is the case for you Christian, then it's time to pull the plug. Let it die. Your old self is interfering with your perception. You will not see correctly until he is dead. He is blocking your access to the light. 

In John 8:12, Jesus said, "“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”. He also said in 8:31,  “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, ³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Live by the Spirit Christian. Take your old self off life support so your new self can live fully and perceive the complete truth. Use your new, healthy eyes with the light of Jesus and look in that mirror again. The complete truth of reality will begin to unfold and you will never long for the darkness of your old self again. 

Focus.