This morning I experienced a life lesson that I have had a few times in my life. One that I try to avoid. I wear contact lenses and I reached up to rub the sleep from my eyes, not realizing that I had not washed all the soap from my hands and immediately every cell in my body screamed that this was the wrong decision.
Pain shot through my body; my eyes were watering, my nose ran and I struggled to remove the lens and bring relief to my eyes. The only thing worse than soap residue is the result of having chopped jalepenos and then touching your eyes. I hope you never experience this. I’m still squinting as I look at my computer screen, my eyes feel like they are scratched and my nose has only now quit running.
Isn’t it amazing how our bodies are designed to respond to danger or pain and all systems immediately come on board to aide the hurting part? But that’s another life lesson…
Research shows that approximately 80% of perception is based on visual sense. Today’s life lesson was on the importance of protecting our eyes, but more importantly protecting what we perceive.
Early in Jesus’ ministry he taught a sermon of short life lessons. It is often referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. When we read chapters 5-7 in the book of Matthew we find a series of snippets that give us instruction for a good and prosperous life.
These are some of the verses that came to mind after I removed my contacts and sat here wiping the tears from my cheeks.
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. 22 Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! 24 No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” Matthew 6:19-24 NLT
These verses are written about perception. Jesus is telling us that there is more to life than physical riches. Those things can be stolen or they can deteriorate. True treasure is what we hold in our heart. Our perception can be clouded or darkened just like our vision is when we are in a dark room. We will stumble over things that are hard to see when we are focused on chasing after things. However, our vision will be clear and we will have plenty of light to guide us when we serve God.
Please understand this does not mean that we must relegate ourselves to a life of poverty. Not in the slightest. In fact, just seven verses later Jesus has this to say.
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:31-33 NLT
When we keep our focus on the Father’s love and provision; when we seek (look for diligently) God’s way of doing things we will be able to see that He is our source for an abundant life.
Protect your vision.