Faith's Focus!

A man who had three pairs of glasses was asked what each was for. His response was that one pair was for distance, one was for up close, and the third pair was for finding the other two.

When I was a child I was FARSIGHTED and wore glasses for about seven or eight years until my eyes corrected, being free of glasses for about the next eighteen to twenty years. Then I became NEARSIGHTED and had to get glasses for that. I eventually then needed to add a bifocal for reading. Fortunately, however, if I lay down my glasses I am not in need of another pair to find them.

How's your vision? God's design of the eyes is remarkable in their ability to focus on DISTANT objects, things up CLOSE, and also objects and points in between. Do we recognize how the EYE OF FAITH needs to function in the same manner. Though we have an eternal destination in view, we still need to see clearly what is in front of us as we take each step of life's journey. However, we are also encouraged to focus on where we are presently and between that point and where we desire to ultimately be. When we lose sight of things relating to our present condition, that kind of NEARSIGHTEDNESS can get us in trouble.

After listing a number of things to be added to or to supplement our faith -- virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love ( 2 Peter 1:5-7) -- Peter went on to state. . .

"(8) For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) For WHOEVER LACKS THESE QUALITIES IS SO NEARSIGHTED THAT HE IS BLIND, HAVING FORGOTTEN THAT HE WAS CLEANSED FROM HIS FORMER SINS. (10) Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you PRACTICE THESE QUALITIES you will never fall. (11) For in this way there will be richly provided for you an ENTRANCE INTO THE ETERNAL KINGDOM of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." ( 2 Peter 1:8-11 ESV)

NEARSIGHTEDNESS now could cause us to miss the eternal to come. May we take a CLOSE LOOK at where we are now and remember where we have been and how the Lord has blessed us. Then let us also LOOK AFAR toward the ultimate eternal goal God has in mind for our life. Walking with the EYE OF FAITH focused in such a manner will protect us from stumbling and falling along the way as we journey on toward our Heavenly calling.

Have a great day SEEING AS GOD WOULD HAVE US, NEAR AND FAR!
Carl

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