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My Vision Appointment
I went to the eye doctor this week. As I age, I find that doctors try to find nice ways to bring up age-related issues without trying to sound mean!
The doctor was talking to me about improving my distance vision AND my close-up vision, which I am a big fan of. We finished up, put on some new lenses and we headed out the door.
Over the course of the day, my head began to hurt worse and worse and, frankly, my vision was terrible. I have a history of migraines so my brain is already not happy with me. I removed the contacts by afternoon but my migraine was in full swing. I slipped away to bed as soon as I could.
The next morning I did not put those lenses back in but returned to my former lenses. I called the doctor’s office, telling them of my experience on the previous day.
“Oh, he put you in mono vision lenses,” was her response.
She explained that our brains are amazing and can relearn seeing with two different lenses in our eyes, one for distance and one for close up.
I told her my brain was pretty fragile and prone to migraines as it is, so that was not a good combination for me. She chuckled and replied that it isn’t for many people. As I thought back to the appointment, I distinctly missed the part where the doctor had told me I would be wearing these kind of contacts that would be tricking my brain. Not sure how I missed that part. Must have been one of those “age-related issues”.
Mono -Vision
It got me thinking. Mono-vision. Mono means one. Sole. Single. Alone. When I focus on one thing, I usually let other things get out of focus. If I look solely at my widowhood and get consumed with thoughts of my losses, I let the the rest of my life go unnoticed.
I am MORE than just a widow. In the first few months, my focus is definitely on my surviving devastation. But as I heal through the grace of God in my life, my widowhood becomes less my focus and more of one part of my story.
Widowhood is only ONE part of my journey. I am to view my life with eternity in my future.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (ESV)
As I read this verse I realized I need to view my life with eternity in mind. How does one do that?
The Apostle Paul
I believe the Apostle Paul had a good grasp on this concept. He suffered so much here on earth – beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonments, ridicule, etc. But through every “momentary light affliction”, he kept his focus on the end – on eternity. All of these earthly sufferings that can consume our focus are just temporary. They are painful for sure. But Paul tells us they are preparing us for a weight of glory that is beyond comparison.
I want to keep my focus on heaven while living here on earth. Let’s remember that the home we have always longed for is with Jesus. And there we will have resurrected bodies.
How would focusing on what is eternal affect our daily experiences? Knowing we will stand before Almighty God, we long to hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25)
This song has been helpful to me to keep my focus on heaven. I hope you find comfort in it as well.
Lord Jesus, give me a heavenly perspective on my life here on earth. Thank You for the HOPE of eternity with You. We look forward to hearing those words, “Well done”, and “Welcome to heaven”. We want to have our vision set on heaven. Help us keep our eyes turned to You. Amen
