Spiritual Vision

John Newton wrote these four lines of the powerful hymn, Amazing Grace:
“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me . . .

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.”

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was amazing. It was grace (undeserved forgiveness) extended to every man, woman and child who would ever live. It was grace that when believed (mind, body, soul, heart), restores us to a relationship with God.  It was a grace that when believed, physically and supernaturally converted each of us from sinner bound to hell for eternity into a sinner bound to heaven for eternity. And, as we were converted – seriously, it was a supernatural conversion and not just words on paper – we went from being blind to gaining a spiritual “eyesight.”

As a baby must gain control of its vision, believers must gain control of this new vision that comes, spiritually, from being “born again.” Sometimes, as in my case, this new vision can take 25 years to come into focus. But, when we gain that spiritual eyesight – going from blind to “now, I see” – the world and our perspectives of it begin to change. All of the temporary stuff of this world – everything but human beings – just doesn’t matter like it once did. And, we begin to shake loose from the shackles of it. There is such a freedom and such a peace that comes from saying, “All I need is Jesus, and beyond that, all I need is the love and support of my family and my friends. Nothing temporary matters *unless* and *until* I can use it as a tool to reach people for Jesus and help people grow deeper spiritually.

•  The workplace becomes a mission field;
•  The newly renovated family room becomes a place for small group Bible study;
•  The vacation becomes a mission trip;
• The Christmas party becomes a place of Christian encouragement;
• The promotion becomes an opportunity to influence people for Jesus;
• The sports team becomes a mission field – a place to lead by example, take a stand for integrity, and connect with people.
• Church becomes a place to recharge – a place to encourage and to be encouraged among fellow believers.

You see – on the lost side of the cross, we have workplaces, homes, parties, vacations, influence, recreation and church, but on the *saved* side of the cross these things are now seen with our spiritual eyesight – provided by that Amazing Grace.

The best I can offer you is this: *Do not* wait 25 years to get all of this in focus. Do it now. I can’t put into words the freedom, the peace, the joy, the love, and the patience that comes from seeing the world as a temporary place, but yet a fantastic opportunity to point people “this way, this way, this way” to the cross. My marriage is better. My family life is better. My friendships go deeper. The bumps in the relational roads are just bumps rather than pot holes. Worry, frustration, depression, anxiety, and temper melt away at the cross.