Sometimes I go through my morning routine of getting my kids ready for school without my glasses on or contacts in. On purpose.

I did it one morning to test a theory and it worked. My theory was that my observation skills were actually causing me to become more impatient with my kids. By “blinding” myself I became much less focused on stopping them from slopping milk and oatmeal everywhere (read: nagging) and more focused on cleaning up my own messes.

I realize I could stop writing right there and the application would be obvious (AND Biblical to boot). But, buckle up folks – there’s a plot twist that’s about to happen here!

At first glance, my issue is sight-related. But, the more I thought about it, the more I realized it’s actually about perspective and priority. This is a heart issue, not an eye issue.

Do you know how God fixes heart AND eye issues in Heaven? Check this out:

“And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.“

Revelation 21:23 NLT 1996

In Heaven, light won’t come from the sun or moon; light will come from the awesomeness of God. That means that everything we see will be seen in a completely new light – seen AND understood. The glory of God and the light of the Lamb (aka: God’s perfection and the Jesus’ perfect life, death and resurrection) will illuminate and light the city.

1 Corinthians 13:12 says, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (ESV) Paul is telling us that all the light in this world still only produce a dim understanding of what we will someday see and know.

So, what do I do until then? Just go around half-blind all the time? Probably not. What if I could start living like that now? I have access to the Bible – God’s words – and the wisdom that offers. What if I continue to study his word with the prayer that God will change my eyes and heart and help me reimagine my life TODAY?

If I looked at things through God’s illumination instead of mine or the world’s, I bet I wouldn’t need to be blind to see what’s important or essential each day.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me use YOUR light to see, think and speak. I want to have your perspective on life now before I even get to your holy city. Keep me from letting my heart and eyes get in the way of your plans for me and my loved ones. Amen.

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash