Vision 20-20

UV 751/10,000 Vision 20-20 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Psalm 119 v 18 Each of us is gifted with different types of sight- eyesight to begin with, foresight, hindsight, mind-sight, heart-sight, spiritual sight and insight. Foresight and hindsight are related to wisdom about knowing what to do with regard to the future and the ability to learn from the past. These two sight faculties enable us to know where we came from and where we are heading. These types of sight are derived from our practical experience. But, the psalmist in this uni-verse is referring to things that are beyond ordinary human perception, understanding and experience. Our vision will never be 20-20 until our eyes are opened in respect of our inner eyes. Only when these six faculties are working- foresight, hindsight, mind-sight, heart-sight, spiritual sight and insight, do we have 6x6 vision. Our inner eyes can behold what our eyes cannot- the wonders of the kingdom of God, the liberating truths and wonderful promises strewn across the Word of God. The Word itself contains wonders that the eye has not seen nor the ear heard nor the mind conceived. Saul the persecutor of the early Christians was focussed on eliminating this new threat to the Jewish faith. But, the Lord Jesus appeared in a blinding vision to him on the road to Damascus. He lost his eyesight and was temporarily blinded. This happened to symbolise that he had all along been blinded by his misguided zeal and hatred. He needed a time of blindness to break the pattern of his reliance on his senses and his past conditioning. Ananias the cobbler had to pray for him to enable him to regain his sight. Immediately, what appeared to be scales fell from his eyes and he began to see again. Along with his eyesight his mindsight, his heart-sight, his spiritual sight and his insight began to open. With the same zeal that characterised his opposition to the new creed, he began to study the scriptures, interacted and interviewed the apostles and disciples of Jesus. His mind-sight was opened. His hatred was replaced by love for people. His self righteousness was replaced by continual penitence where he regarded himself as “the worst of sinners.” His heart-sight was opened. He desired to toil to save souls in every nation, whether Jew or Gentile. His spiritual sight was opened. He began to teach the infant churches in many nations. His insight had opened. Indeed, what we see is our vision, what we do is our mission. While our physical eyes open and close at will, we need the grace and help of the Lord to have our mind-sight, heart-sight, spiritual sight and insight opened. With our physical eyes we can only see what is manifested or that which God has ordained that man can ordinarily see. With our other visual faculties, we can see, understand and experience what man cannot ordinarily see and understand. With mind-sight, I can see and understand the thoughts of God that are higher, infinitely highter than mind. I can see and understand the emotions of God that are infinitely deeper than mind. With heart-sight, I can feel His compassion, love and grace and be able to take a measure of it. I can see and understand the acts of God that surpasses the arc of time and space. With spiritual sight, I can perceive the souls of people and discern their spirit. With insight, I can find the hidden truths in the Word of God much like a prospector of gold would pray and seek hard that he strikes a vein of gold in all his digging and searching. Prateep V Philip